There’s familiar names and games across the basketball courts of the Olympics who share a common link.
Players from South Sudan and Canada to Germany, Japan and Brazil are currently representing their respective countries and all have experience playing in Australian leagues.
A host of former WNBL imports are in action across the women’s competition in Lille.
League MVP and two-time UC Capitals championship winner Kia Nurse, former Townsville Fire import Bridget Carleton and Adelaide Lightning forward Kayla Alexander are key play makers for Canada who the Opals play in Pool B.
Jackie Young, who led Perth Lynx to a Grand Final in 2021-22 and was named in the league’s All-WNBL First team, is competing in her second Olympics for the USA.
Julie Vanloo, an ex-Fire import and now Washington Mystics WNBA team mate of Opal Jade Melbourne, is flying the flag for Belgium.
Leonie Fiebich, who made NBL1 history in 2022 when she won the first-ever National Championship with Warick Senators and was crowned MVP, is suiting up for Germany in her country’s first ever Games appearance.
Past and present NBL players Majok Deng, Sunday Dech, Bul Kuol, Jackson Makoi and Kuany Kuany are etching their places into the history books with the South Sudan national team.
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The Bright Stars achieved their first-ever Olympic win on Sunday defeating Puerto Rico, 90-79.
Melbourne United 2021 NBL champion Yudai Baba is in action for Japan while former Sydney King Didi Louzada is representing Brazil.
