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AFRICA, ASIA, AUSTRALIA, BASKETBALL, BEC ALLEN, BELGIUM, BR, BREANNA STEWART, BRONDELLO, CUBA, EUROPE, FRANCE, JAPAN, LOS ANGELES, MINNESOTA LYNX, NATIONAL TEAM, NEW YORK LIBERTY, NIGERIA, NORTH AMERICA, OCEANIA, OLYMPICS, PARIS, QUEENSLAND, TEAM USA, TOKYO, UNITED STATES, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Clara Montgomery
Sandy Brondello Reappointed as Head Coach of Australian Opals Until 2028
Sandy Brondello has been named head coach of the Australian Opals through the 2028 Olympics after leading the New York Liberty to their championship victory. With a rich history of Olympic medals, she expressed pride in coaching the Opals and emphasized teamwork in their successes. Brondello prepares for her fourth season with the Liberty, looking to add to her impressive coaching record.
Sandy Brondello has been officially reaffirmed as the head coach of the Australian women’s national basketball team, the Opals, extending her tenure through the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Following her leadership of the New York Liberty to their first championships, which culminated in a WNBA Finals victory, Brondello will continue to steer the Opals, where she had previously secured a bronze medal at the recent Paris Games.
Brondello expressed her pride in coaching the Opals, stating, “Coaching the Australian Opals is an honor, I never take the responsibility lightly. Having represented at six Olympics as a player and now coach, the Opals is such a big part of my life and one that I am most proud of.” She highlighted the importance of her talented athletes, emphasizing that their success reflects on the entire Opals team and support system.
With a celebrated career in women’s basketball, Brondello boasts four Olympic medals, including two silvers and a bronze from her playing days. She has been at the helm of the Opals since 2017, guiding them to a silver at the 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup and a bronze in 2022. Last year, Brondello’s coaching was pivotal for the Opals, leading them to their first Olympic medal since 2012.
Although the Opals fell to a USA team featuring Liberty players Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart in the semifinals, they achieved a victory against Belgium to secure bronze. Just months later, Brondello led the Liberty to a triumphant 3-2 series win over the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals, offering a satisfying conclusion to both her national and club coaching endeavors.
Brondello’s continued leadership will mark her as the first coach to oversee the Opals at three Olympics. After their performance in Paris, Australia ranks second in FIBA’s international standings, just behind Team USA. She is set to commence her fourth season with the Liberty on May 17, aiming to enhance her franchise record of regular-season victories.
In summary, Sandy Brondello has successfully secured her position as the head coach of the Opals through the end of the 2028 Olympics, bolstered by her recent championship victory with the New York Liberty. Her storied career exemplifies her dedication to Australian women’s basketball, with achievements that include multiple Olympic medals and significant successes at World Cups. As Brondello prepares for the upcoming WNBA season, she aims to continue her legacy both domestically and internationally.
Original Source: www.si.com
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