'Chemistry' is jewel in crown for U19 Gems squad

• 24 player squad announced for U19 Gems World Cup preparation camp at AIS Canberra
• Head Coach Renae Garlepp focusing on building team chemistry for July tournament in Czechia
• Australia aims to challenge USA's dominance after silver medal finishes in 2019 and 2021

Familiarity is the edge head coach Renae Garlepp hopes will take the Australian Gems at least to the gold medal game (again) at the Under-19 women's World Cup in Czechia this July, 2025.

The Gems won silver medals at the 2019 and 2021 tournaments, finish second to global powerhouse USA. The US are three-time defending champions heading into the 2025 World Cup.

"Many of these players have played together before, which helps with chemistry," Garlepp said.

"Our focus will be on developing a style that allows us to compete at the highest level while maximising this group's strengths."

Basketball Australia named a 24-player squad for its training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra from 31 March to 3 April.

The camp represents a crucial step in preparing Australia's U19 women's basketball team for the FIBA U19 Women's World Cup.

"I am excited to see this cohort come together at camp as we look to select a tough and competitive group," said Garlepp.

"The camp will be a great opportunity to see who can handle the physicality, compete every possession, and push each other to grow as a team."

The U19 Gems have a proud history in this competition. Since the tournament's inception in 1985, Australia remains the only team from the Oceania/Asia region to have won gold, claiming the championship in 1993 when Michelle Brogan was named tournament MVP.

Lucy Aherne (Tasmania), Opal Bird (NSW), Monique Bobongie (Queensland), and Teyahna Bond (Queensland) are among the standouts invited to the camp. The squad also includes Jade Crook (NSW), Emilija Dakic (Victoria), Bonnie Deas (Victoria), and Sitaya Fagan (Victoria).

Other inclusions are Erica Finney (NSW/NCAA), Alleah Hanson (Queensland), Sienna Harvey (Victoria), Sienna Lehmann (South Australia), Jessie May-Hall (NSW), and Prasayus Notoa (Queensland).

The 24-player squad features talent from across Australia, with players representing all states and territories. Victoria leads with seven representatives, followed by Queensland and New South Wales with five each. Three squad members — Erica Finney, Lara Somfai, and Monique Williams — are competing in the NCAA system in the United States.

Rounding out the squad are Ruby Perkins (NSW), Emma Petrie (Queensland), Sarah Portlock (Victoria), Manuela Puoch (Victoria), Zara Russell (ACT), Madison Ryan (Victoria), Saffron Shiels (NSW), Lara Somfai (SA/NCAA), Kiara Waite (WA), and Monique Williams (WA/NCAA).

The final team selection will be announced after the camp, with the chosen players then focusing on their final preparations for the World Cup tournament in July.

The FIBA U19 Women's World Cup continues to showcase the best young female basketball talent globally, with competition standards rising each tournament.

For many of these athletes, this represents a stepping stone to future representation with the Australian Opals at senior international competitions.

The U19 Gems will be looking to build on Australia's outstanding reputation in women's basketball, where the nation has consistently produced world-class talent and achieved success on the global stage.