'Devastating': Injury blow as Opals star ruled out

• Cayla George leads 12-player Opals squad with Olympic experience for Asia Cup in Shenzhen
• Alex Wilson earns first Opals tournament selection after impressive 3x3 Gangurrus and WNBL performances
• Team aims to improve on bronze medal finish from 2023 as they prepare for 2026 World Cup qualification

Australian Opals basketballer Maddy Rocci is injured and has been ruled out of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup starting in China on Sunday.

Abbey Ellis, 24, added to the Opals team in her place of the 27-year-old Rocci, whose injury has been been disclosed.

"Maddy has been working so hard for this opportunity, so it’s devastating for her and for us," Opals associate head coach Paul Goriss said.

“It’s disappointing to lose her so close to Asia Cup after she played so well in the Trans-Tasman series.

"Her toughness, elite defence, and aggressive on-ball pressure will definitely be missed — but we have a capable replacement in Abby.”

Ellis, a playmaking guard, was named the WNBL's 2024–25 Breakout Player of the Year after a standout season with the Townsville Fire and continued her rise with an impressive Opals debut during the 2025 Trans-Tasman Throwdown.

"Abby is similar to Maddy in that she provides full-court defense, the ability to push our pace in transition, and knock down the open shot,” Goriss added.

“She was with us during the Trans-Tasman series, so she knows the style and system we want to play.”

The Opals will open their Asia Cup campaign against the Philippines on Sunday 13 July at 3:30pm AEST.

Australia's WNBA stars — Steph Talbot, Sami Whitcomb, Jade Melbourne, Ezi Magbegor, Bec Allen and Alanna Smith — are all unavailable as the tournament is right in the middle of the WNBA season.

Paris Olympian Cayla George will lead the world number two ranked Opals along with fellow Olympians Isobel Borlase and Alex Wilson.

For Wilson, this selection marks her Opals tournament debut after stellar performances with the 3x3 Gangurrus and a standout WNBL25 season with the Perth Lynx.

Sara Blicavs makes her return to FIBA tournament action following a successful comeback in the Trans-Tasman Throwdown.

The squad also features versatile forwards Zitina Aokuso and 2025 Spanish League MVP Chloe Bibby.

Several rising stars have earned their place, with Isabelle Bourne receiving her first Opals call-up. She'll be joined by Alex Fowler, Miela Sowah, and Courtney Woods, all of whom impressed during the Trans-Tasman series.

The Opals will begin their Asia Cup campaign in Group B, facing the Philippines on Sunday July, 13 Lebanon on Monday July 14, and Japan on Tuesday July 15.

"There's a lot of different styles we'll face, Japan is very small and fast, and they shoot a lot of threes, so we've got to be versatile in how we defend them," Opals head coach Sandy Brondello said.

"We've got to play Opals-style basketball and be the aggressor at both ends."

With Brondello fulfilling her WNBA commitments with the New York Liberty, Goriss will continue in the role of associate head coach after successfully leading the team during the Trans-Tasman Throwdown.

"Goz (Paul Goriss) has been with me for so many years — even though our offensive styles are a little different, defensively we're on the same page," Brondello added.

"We've got really great coaches with Goz, Shannon Seebohm, Kristi Harrower and Cheryl Chambers, there's a wealth of experience there, and I'm really excited for them to lead the team at Asia Cup."

The Asia Cup represents a crucial step in Australia's journey toward the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

The top six teams from the tournament will automatically secure their place in the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in March next year.

Since joining the Asia Cup division in 2017, the Opals have medalled in all four tournaments, securing silver in their debut appearance before earning bronze in the following three events. They've consistently been among the top teams in the region, regularly contending with powerhouses China and Japan.

The coaching staff's blend of experience and fresh perspectives positions the Opals well for the upcoming tournament. With a roster that combines established veterans and promising newcomers, Australia looks poised to challenge for gold in Shenzhen while building toward future international competitions.

Opals Team | FIBA Asia Cup 2025

• Zitina Aokuso
• Chloe Bibby
• Sara Blicavs
• Isobel Borlase
• Isabelle Bourne
• Abby Ellis
• Alex Fowler
• Cayla George
• Steph Reid
• Miela Sowah
• Alex Wilson
• Courtney Woods

The 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup will be held in Shenzhen, China from July 13-20, 2025.