We check in with Jade Melbourne’s national team before they head to the Olympics games later this week.
The 2024 Olympics begin this weekend. And with that, it’s time for me to wrap up how national teams with Washington Mystics players are doing. Today, we’ll look at the Australia women’s national basketball team, which guard Jade Melbourne plays on.
The friendlies so far
Here are the Opals’ friendly results in the pre-Olympic period:
- June 2: 75-68 loss to China
- June 20: 96-85 loss to Japan
- July 3: 94-66 win against China
- July 5: 91-63 win against China
- July 22: 75-66 win against Spain
- July 23: 77-74 loss to Canada
Australia went 3-3 in friendlies. Certainly not as good as Belgium, who went undefeated, but better than Canada, who struggled without the bulk of their WNBA players. Oddly enough, the Canadians beat the Opals on July 23, but WNBA players Kia Nurse, Bridget Carleton and Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards played in their first friendly, sot they were at full strength.
But at least Melbourne scored 23 points to lead the Opals against Canada. She also scored 12 more points the night before when they beat Spain.
What are Australia’s chances of winning a medal?
Quite good. Of all the teams from FIBA Asia, I think the Opals have the best depth from top to bottom. Do they have one of the top five players in the world (like Emma Meesseman, Breanna Stewart and Aja Wilson) on their roster? No. But they have a WNBA heavy roster and plenty of time to play alongside each other which will give them a chance.
Also, though she is past her prime, center Lauren Jackson is in many ways like Diana Taurasi for the Americans. Jackson can still produce decent numbers and if she can turn back the clock against a team like the USA or Belgium, the Opals could have as good of a chance as any to pull out a big win.