Basketball On The Internet.

THE Jayco Opals got serious today with the announcement of a 24-player squad from which our Rio Olympians will emerge.

Six injured players - or in the case of World Championship vice-captain Laura Hodges, unavailable, with her French team Bourges still in competition – were named alongside 18 hopefuls who will go into camp in Canberra next week.

Like anyone with solid vision, coach Brendan Joyce assuredly is looking beyond Rio and ahead to Tokyo 2020, with some of his squad selections.

And just as obviously, one of our greats in Belinda Snell has missed selection for a fourth Olympic Games, drawing the curtain on an exceptional international career, forever best remembered for “the shot” against France at the London Olympics.

There are question-marks over injured players such as superstar Lauren Jackson (above), World Championship starter Marianna Tolo (ACL) and Tess Madgen, although the latter has been named in the active squad.

In my team, I’d have Madge, Bec Allen and Steph Talbot battling it out for two spots, and may the best players win.

I’d also pull the trigger on Natalie Burton, who is a Joyce favourite but who could not possibly be considered a better option than someone such as four-time WNBL MVP Suzy Batkovic (above).

Similarly, I remain disgusted that Basketball Australia failed to mount a strong legal case to have Leilani Mitchell exempted from FIBA’s naturalised player rule.

Yes, she did have to naturalise but BA should have sought a special dispensation considering Mitchell’s mother legitimately is an Australian.

It now means she and naturalised forward Kelsey Griffin are competing for the one naturalised import spot.

With the Opals previously preferring a three-point guard arrangement – Erin Phillips, Mitchell and Tessa Lavey – my guess is Griffin will miss this team but be the replacement option for Penny Taylor after Rio.

A strong international career still awaits KG. But it wrankles BA didn’t genuinely load up both barrels and fire up FIBA to review Mitchell’s naturalised status.

OOPS, THERE IT IS: Liz Cambage throwing down the first dunk by a woman at an Olympics.

"Over the time I've been here, 36 players have had an opportunity," Joyce said, aware there would be criticism players such as Jenna O'Hea, Mia Murray and Louella Tomlinson were not considered.

O'Hea has not met selection criteria while Murray and Tomlinson remain in Joyce's sights for the post-Rio obligations ahead of the next FIBA Women's World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics.

My Opals team for Rio, in no particular order:

Erin Phillips
Rachel Jarry
Penny Taylor
Suzy Batkovic
Elizabeth Cambage
Leilani Mitchell
Stephanie Talbot
Rebecca Allen
Cayla George
*Marianna Tolo
Tessa Lavey
Laura Hodges
(*If passed fully fit)

That team is based on the presumption - possibly erroneous - Jackson will not make it back from injury, Tolo is passed fit, and Madgen will not be fully recovered from injury either.

Those are three big "ifs", of course. And I'd take Jackson at 75 per cent, frankly. What a weapon off the bench!

Tolo is coming back from an ACL but Joyce is adamant she is far ahead of her rehabilitation program and will be in serious contention. 

NEW WING: Erin Phillips, traded from LA Sparks to Dallas Wings.

FIBA World Cup playmaker Erin Phillips is expected to be fully fit after suffering a knee injury last season in the WNBA with the LA Sparks.

The Dallas Wings have acquired Australia's dual-WNBA champion in exchange for Riquna Williams.  

“We thank Riquna for her contributions while being very excited to add Erin Phillips to the Dallas Wings organisation,” said David Swatzell, President & CEO.

"This deal provides us with a veteran guard who can play both the one and two positions. Erin is an experienced leader with a championship pedigree. Her contributions on and off the court will help us as we compete for a WNBA title."

Phillips will enter her ninth year in the WNBA and has career averages of 6.6 points per game, 2.4 rebounds per game and 2.2 assists per game. 

Active Opals squad: Rebecca Allen (SEQ Stars), Suzy Batkovic (Townsville Fire), Sara Blicavs (Dandenong Rangers), Abby Bishop (University of Canberra Capitals), Natalie Burton (Perth Lynx), Elizabeth Cambage (Shanghai, China), Stephanie Cumming (Dandenong Rangers), Katie-Rae Ebzery (Sydney Flames), Cayla George (Townsville Fire), Rachel Jarry (SEQ Stars), Alice Kunek (Melbourne Boomers), Tessa Lavey (Perth Lynx), Tess Madgen (Melbourne Boomers), Carley Mijovic (Perth Lynx), Leilani Mitchell (Adelaide Lightning), Erin Phillips (LA Sparks), WNBA), Stephanie Talbot (University of Canberra Capitals), PennyTaylor (Phoenix Mercury, WNBA). Injured or unavailable: Laura Hodges (Bourges, France), Marianna Tolo (LA Sparks, WNBA), Lauren Jackson (University of Canberra Capitals), Kelsey Griffin( Bendigo Spirit), Lauren Mansfield (SEQ Stars), Elyse Penaluna (Melbourne Boomers).