Rookie Sitaya Fagan Earns First Opals Call-Up for China Series

Teenage basketball sensation Sitaya Fagan has been named in the Australian Opals squad for the first time, signaling a new era for the national team as they prepare for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. The 18-year-old, who garnered significant attention last year with 27 scholarship offers from U.S. colleges, will make her debut in the upcoming two-game series against China in July.

Coach Sandy Brondello is using the series against the World Cup silver medalists, to be held at Melbourne's John Cain Arena, to finalize her 12-player roster for the September World Cup in Germany. While many of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) stars who dominated the World Cup qualifiers in March will be absent, the squad sees the return of experienced forward Darcee Garbin after a maternity break.

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Sitaya Fagan has been named in the Opals squad to play China in Melbourne next month.

Alongside Fagan, other new faces include Bonnie Deas, recognized for her strong college season with the University of Arkansas. Players like Ally Wilson, Alex Fowler, and Maddy Rocci have also been included after being waived by their WNBA clubs. However, veteran forward Sara Blicavs, who was part of the initial squad for the qualifiers, did not make the final cut for this series.

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The Opals are using the series as part of their preparations for September's FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.