Brydens Sydney Uni Flames star Katie Ebzery has been named in the Jayco Australian Opals team to play New Zealand in the two-game FIBA Oceania Championships.
The 12-woman line-up will be vying for Rio Olympic qualification as they take on the Tall Ferns in a two-game series to be played on August 15 at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena and, August 17 in Tauranga, New Zealand.
25-year-old Ebzery impressed selectors on European tour in May and in their three-game series against Japan.
Opals coach Brendan Joyce said that selecting the final squad for the Oceania Championships from the 15 that played against Japan was a “tough decision.”
“We’ve selected a group that’s made a huge commitment and who also had an impact throughout camps and on tour and who have represented themselves well,” said Joyce. “We’ve put together a very, very competitive team.”
Both Ebzery’s impressive WNBL Flames performances and quality Australian program efforts act as great preparation for the upcoming series.
The Jayco Australian Opals team to play New Zealand August 15 & 17: Suzy Batkovic (JCU Townsville Fire); Sara Blicavs (Jayco Dandenong Rangers); Natalie Burton (Perth Lynx); Katie-Rae Ebzery (Brydens Sydney Uni Flames); Laura Hodges (Bourges – France); Rachel Jarry (SEQ Basketball); Alice Kunek (Deakin Melbourne Boomers); Tessa Lavey (Perth Lynx); Tess Madgen (Deakin Melbourne Boomers); Stephanie Talbot (University of Canberra Capitals); Belinda Snell (Bendigo Spirit); Kelly Wilson (Bendigo Spirit).
