From Turkey to Traralgon, players travelled from near and far to hit the court at the Seven Consulting Opals camp this week.
Zitina Aokuso, Lauren Scherf and Shyla Heal arrived in Melbourne for national duties fresh from completing their European seasons.
Aokuso returns to Australia after representing Turkish outfit OGM Ormanspor in her first stint overseas.
“I was super nervous and scared when I decided to put pen to paper but I’m proud of myself for doing it. Everyone would have said I was a kid beforehand but I think I’ve definitely grown up being on my own, being independent. I’m very happy, grateful and proud of myself,” she said.
Playing on big, strong bodies and navigating opponents she had no knowledge of helped grow Aokuso’s game.
“I learned how to use my body more and being more assertive on offence, I think being a score-first player is something I’ve worked on,” she said.
“I always want to take what I’ve learned and where I’ve been and bringing it to the next thing I’ve got going on and that’s this camp and I’m looking forward to showcasing what I’ve learned in Europe.”
Paris Olympic medallist Jade Melbourne has enjoyed some downtime in her home town of Traralgon in regional Victoria following the WNBL season with the UC Capitals.
Following Opals camp, the 22-year-old will fly out to the US this weekend to prepare for her third WNBA campaign and her second with Washington Mystics.
“Camp is going to be a fun few days, excited to seeing everyone again and build on the culture we have had,” she said.
“We have the World Cup next year and so many girls deserve an opportunity to be in the squad after such unbelievable WNBL seasons so I’m excited to get to know some of them more because for some it’s been just saying hello and scouting them.”
It’s been a long time between Opals camps for Ally Wilson.
While the Perth Lynx star has carved out a successful few years, winning medals and MVP awards for fun on the international 3x3 circuit with the Gangurrus, Wilson is participating in an Opals camp for the first time since 2018.
“I’ve been doing strictly 3x3 stuff for the last three years and I sort of thought the Opals door was closed for me so being able to come back into this environment is really exciting,” Wilson explains.
“It’s something I dreamt of as a little girl, playing for the Opals so really cool to be back here. Being able to do both (Gangurrus and Opals) is super important to me because I’ve been so engrained in 3x3 the last few years so not having to make a decision between the two and being able to do both is important.”
