TESSA Lavey admits she has to pinch herself as she comes to terms with her selection in the Australian Opals squad for the FIBA World Championship in Turkey.
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Lavey and her Bendigo Spirit team-mate Belinda Snell were today named in the Opals final squad of 12 for the FIBA World Championship for women, which starts on September 28.
Selection capped a meteoric rise for Lavey, who had been forced to bide her time on the bench with the Spirit behind champion point guard Kristi Harrower.
Lavey, 21, played limited minutes for the Spirit last season, but earned her spot in the Opals squad after impressive form at training camps and tours to Japan and Europe.
“I was really surprised when I found out and then really excited,’’ Lavey said.
“I have to pinch myself a bit… it probably won’t sink in until we get over to Turkey.
“It only seems like yesterday I was a 16-year-old at the AIS. It’s crazy to think how far I’ve come in the last year or two.”
Lavey said her performances on the recent Opals’ tour to Europe had boosted her confidence.
“I didn’t know if I could play at this level,’’ Lavey admitted.
“When we were in Europe I trained hard and played hard and I played well.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead and the experience I will get.”
Opals coach Brendan Joyce gave Lavey the nod ahead of Canberra Capitals star Nat Hurst.
Hurst was named as an emergency alongside Bendigo Spirit centre Gabe Richards and Melbourne Boomers guard Tess Madgen.
Lavey felt for her Spirit team-mate.
“Gabe has worked very hard on her game and for her to miss out at the last hurdle is devastating,’’ Lavey said.
“I’m sure she’ll use this as inspiration to work harder and I’m sure she’ll have another great season with the Spirit.”
While Lavey is the youngest player in the Opals squad, 33-year-old Snell is the oldest. The World Championships will be the first major tournament Snell has played without Kristi Harrower and Lauren Jackson.
“It’s a huge challenge for us, especially without Kristi and Lauren,’’ Snell said. “It’s up to us to step as a team and play well and try and cover the loss of those great players. Those challenges are why we play sport.”
Snell will take over from Harrower and Jackson as one of the Opals’ leaders.
“I’ll play a leadership role and help out the young players as much as I can.
“There are five players who haven’t been to the Olympics or World Cup before, so I’m keen to pass on my experience to them.”
The Opals head to France next week for a tournament with the United States, France and China.
The Opals start their World Championship campaign in Turkey on September 27 against Cuba. They also face Korea and European champions Belarus in the group stage.
Opals squad: Rebecca Allen (Melbourne Boomers), Natalie Burton (Melbourne Boomers), Elizabeth Cambage (Dandenong), Cayla Francis (Townsville), Laura Hodges (Adelaide), Rachel Jarry (Melbourne Boomers), Tessa Lavey (Bendigo Spirit), Leilani Mitchell (Sydney Uni), Erin Phillips (Phoenix Mercury, WNBA), Belinda Snell (Bendigo Spirit), Penny Taylor (Phoenix Mercury WNBA), Marianna Tolo (Bourges, France).