The future of the Australian Opals is seemingly in good hands, as stars Alanna Smith, Ezi Magbegor and Jade Melbourne were honoured with individual accolades at the conclusion of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After a brutal first game against Nigeria, the Australians responded in a major way, rattling off a string of impressive wins, and despite going down to eventual champions Team USA in the semi-finals, they responded with an emphatic win over Belgium to win their first Olympic medal since 2012.
As well as their medals, Smith was also recognised as one of the five top performers at the Olympics, with Magbegor finding her way onto the second team, while Melbourne was identified as the best young player of the tournament.
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Alanna Smith named to Paris Olympics All-Star Five, Magbegor makes second team
Undoubtedly one of the most exciting things for Opals fans to witness this tournament was the emergence of Alanna Smith, the 27-year-old Minnesota Lynx star, who was Australia's standout performer.
Smith, who was cut from the 2022 World Cup squad, quickly proved why she belonged on this team, averaging 11.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.
She was especially crucial in the team's must-win clash against Serbia, dropping a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double to propel her team to the medal round.
Alanna Smith, what have you done? 😳
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 7, 2024
Absolutely incredible stat sheet to carry Opals 🇦🇺 into semi-finals!#Paris2024 x #Basketball pic.twitter.com/OjrOQEnClf
Her running mate Ezi Magbegor was also picked as one of the tournament's best, being selected to the All-Second Team.
It was Magbegor's heroics that secured the Opals bronze medal, finishing with 30 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks on 12-of-17 from the field, as she helped her nation return to the Olympic podium after winning bronze at the 2022 World Cup.
With two years until the next FIBA World Cup in Germany, Smith and Magbegor will no doubt continue to improve, and hopefully remain as one of the world's most dominant forces.
PARIS OLYMPICS ALL-STAR FIVE
- A'ja Wilson, USA (MVP)
- Breanna Stewart, USA
- Gabby Williams, FRA
- Alanna Smith, AUS
- Emma Meesseman, BEL
PARIS OLYMPICS ALL-SECOND TEAM
- Valeriane Ayayi, FRA
- Ezi Magbegor, AUS
- Julie Vanloo, BEL
- Satou Sabally, GER
- Ezinne Kalu, NIG
Jade Melbourne named Paris Olympic Rising Star
She's just 21 years old, but Jade Melbourne quickly firmed as the Opals point guard of the future in Paris, and it seems that the rest of the world took note, with the Aussie being named as the tournament's Rising Star.
🌟 Rising Star of #Paris2024 Women's #Basketball
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 11, 2024
Jade Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/EiPEgWTouZ
The Washington Mystic and UC Capitals player finished her first Olympic Games averaging 7.0 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, and was also key in Australia's win over Serbia, with 18 points, five assists, and four rebounds in a coming out party for the youngster.
Traded to Washington from Seattle during the WNBA off-season, Melbourne has quickly made the Storm regret their decisions, and after concluding her Olympic debut with a bronze medal and the Rising Star award, she will be one of the key pillars of the Opals future over the next decade.
