Rockingham Flames’ Darcee Garbin named in Opals’ 16-player squad for Asia Cup

Rockingham Flames star Darcee Garbin has been included in a 16-player strong Australian Opals squad for the FIBA Asia Cup next month.

Garbin, 25, attended a training squad in Phoenix, Arizona last month and is one of 16 names in contention for selection for the tournament, having been one of the last players cut from the Opals’ squad that won silver at last year’s FIBA Women’s World Cup in Spain.

Before attending the July training camp in the USA, Garbin told the Sound Telegraph she was confident of proving her credentials alongside Australia’s best players.

“It’s a chance to go back and show that I’ve improved hopefully over the last year and do everything right to put myself in a position to be selected,” she said.

“It’s an awesome opportunity, there four or five girls that are in the WNBA so it’s a good chance to go up against those girls and those who have competed at either a Worlds or an Olympics.”

Garbin is enjoying a strong State Basketball League season for the Flames, who face Perry Lakes Hawks in a semifinal clash at Bendat Basketball Centre tonight.

She has averaged 22.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game since arriving at the Flames in mid-May, and hit a WSBL season-high 42 points against Willetton on May 31.

The Opals squad is not lacking on talent and experience, with three Olympic medals and 12 World Cup medals spread among the 16 players, with the final team to be announced closer to departure for the tournament.

“With many of our players in the WNBA, and the uncertainty of the play-off seedings at this time, the coaches and I have decided to name a squad of 16 with the final team to be announced closer to our departure to Asia Cup and once we know who will be available from the WNBA,” Opals head coach Sandy Brondello said.

“Asia Cup is an important tournament and with our limited time together moving forward into the November and February (Olympic) qualification, we would like to have our best team together as much as we can. While injuries have prevented some players availability, our depth continues to shine through.

“We feel this squad has the right balance of players in every position in order for us to perform well.”

The Opals are in Group B for the Asia Cup, alongside China, New Zealand and the Philippines.

They will be keen to go one better than their 2017 Asia Cup campaign, where they lost in the final to Japan.

The Opals first game is on September 24 against the Philippines.