Aussie basketball recap

With the end of the year drawing close, we take a brief look back at the Australians and how they performed this year.

Well, The Melbourne Age did, at least.

Of course, there’s All-World Lauren Jackson, but the rest of the Opals starred as well, especially Penny Taylor, who along with teammate Belinda Snell, were part of the WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury.

Opals Penny Taylor and Belinda Snell were members of the title-winning Mercury, who after disposing the Storm overcame Detroit 3-2 in a gruelling finals campaign.

Taylor was named both an All-Star and a member of the All-WNBA First Team, alongside Jackson.

It capped a sensational 12 months for 2006 world championship MVP Taylor, whose talent has long been recognised within basketball circles, but who has always been dwarfed by Jackson’s considerable shadow.

Of course, the Opals are still the team to beat in the upcoming Olympics, but they understand the Americans will likely be their biggest challengers. Should be fun regardless.

(The Age / Wayne Taylor)