Blicavs named in World Cup squad

GEELONG Supercat Sara Blicavs will live out every athlete’s dream and represent her country at a World Cup on home soil.

Blicavs, fresh off the conclusion of her NBL1 campaign with Geelong, will now fully focus on preparing for the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup to be held in Sydney from September 22 to October 1.

“Right now my biggest focus is how can I improve for worlds, the Australian team is the biggest priority on my mind right now,” Blicavs said.

“I’m just training really hard right now, focusing on keeping my body right and making sure I’m in good condition for the World Cup.

“After the World Cup we’re straight into preseason for the WNBL season and I think it will be the most in-shape I’ll have ever been in heading into a preseason, which is great, too.”

Blicavs suits up for the Opals among a star-studded 12-player lineup featuring WNBA players Bec Allen (New York Liberty), Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm), Sami Whitcomb (New York Liberty), Kristy Wallace (Atlanta Dream) and Steph Talbot (Seattle Storm).

WNBL talent is also on full display with Darcee Garbin, Cayla George, Tess Madgen, Anneli Maley and Marianna Tolo filling out Sandy Brondello’s squad.

Blicavs ranked her appointment to the World Cup squad at the top of her accomplishments, given it was the first time she was initially selected to the team.

“For me personally, I think this is slightly more of an achievement than being selected to the Olympic team last year, mainly because this time I made the initial 12 as opposed to being an emergency,” Blicavs said.

“I feel like I’ve really accomplished something this time around and I’m really proud of myself for that.”

Perhaps the most notable inclusion in Australia’s World Cup squad is two-time WNBA champion, three-time WNBA MVP and five-time WNBL champion Lauren Jackson, who will return to the World Cup for a fifth time after a nine-year retirement.

“It’s just incredible that she’s about to compete in a fifth World Cup,” Blicavs said.

“I already know that at 41 years old I would not be bothered doing this any more, but by all means she is the greatest of all time and that right there in itself is super cool and inspiring.

“To be able to play beside one of the greats and an idol for me growing up, is going to be so, so awesome.”

The Opals will aim to add to their rich World Cup legacy, having won silver in 2018, bronze in 2014 and gold in 2006.

Blicavs recently signed on for another year with the Southside Flyers for the 2023 WNBL season.