Young gun all fired up
AUSTRALIAN Opals coach Sandy Brondello has urged young gun Ezi Macbegor to avoid taking a “rookie” mindset into the Commonwealth Games in order to seize her opportunity.
The 18- year- old said she was shocked to be included in her first Opals squad, who got their campaign under way against Mozambique in Townsville last night before tomorrow night’s blockbuster against Canada.
But Brondello said the athletic big wouldn’t have been picked if she wasn’t in her best squad, and says she needs to believe she belongs at the highest level.
“She has an opportunity with ( Marianna) Tolo getting injured, and has a great chance to even go to the World Cup ( in September),” Brondello said.
“I say to her ‘ don’t come in thinking you’re a rookie here, you’re one of the best players in Australia. You have to believe you belong here, number one, and go out and play your game’. She’s done extremely well, she’s still a bit shy and this is a great experience for her because she is the future of the Opals.”
Macbegor recently turned down a scholarship offer from US college heavyweights University of Connecticut to sign a three- year deal with WNBL club Melbourne Boomers.
She said playing against seasoned veterans with the University of Canberra Capitals last year convinced her staying home was the best option.
“It was very tough, probably one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made,” Macbegor said. “I was playing against women and that definitely had a big impact on my game.
“It helped me improve playing against such experienced players so that was one of the factors which helped me make the decision.”
A chance to be mentored by Opals great and Boomers employee Lauren Jackson was another factor.
Brondello said she would Macbegor’s decision either way.
Canada downed England 80- 54 in Townsville yesterday in the first of two women’s pool games, with Australia and Mozambique playing overnight.
The Australian men’s Boomers thumped Canada 95- 55 in Cairns.
COMMONWEALTH GAMES BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre TODAY 5.30pm: Men – England v India 8pm: Men – Scotland v Cameroon TOMORROW 6.30pm: Women – Australia v Canada 9pm: Men – India v Scotland have backed