Ezi Magbegor named Opals captain in Berlin; immediate impact: 11 points, nine rebounds

FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026: Ezi Magbegor on her evolving role in the team - “Over the years, I’ve become a leader”

New captain Magbegor played a star role in the Opals’ World Cup opener, as Australia defeated Puerto Rico in Berlin.

Australia began the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 with an opening day 70-54 win against Puerto Rico. While the victory may have been hard-fought, it was their new leadership team that got them up and running in Berlin.

Days before the game, Ezi Magbegor had been named the Opals’ 15th captain at a major tournament.

Against the Puerto Ricans on Friday (4 September), Magbegor made an immediate impact for her team, delivering with an 11-point, nine-rebound second-half performance .

Speaking in front of the Aussie crowd in Berlin and an emotional head coach Sandy Brondello , Magbegor reacted in a way fans have come to expect: humble, gentle and authentic.

“I want to be that person who is reliable and consistent for my team,” Magbegor said. “I want to show up, lead by example and be there for my teammates. It’s about being an extension of Sandy.”

Ezi Magbegor on leading a new generation: “I’m here for everyone”

Magbegor earned medals at FIBA World Cups in her debut campaign in 2018 and again in 2022, before helping her nation reach the Olympic podium with 30 points in the bronze medal match at Paris 2024 .

Increasingly, the 27-year-old has become a central part of the team.

While six members of Australia’s team from Paris have returned in Berlin, there is no doubt this is a side in transition.

Arriving without stalwarts Cayla George and Sami Whitcomb – who have 102 national team appearances between them – the Opals are treading a new path towards the future.

Following the retirements of Lauren Jackson and Marianna Tolo , the handover to a new generation has begun in Germany.

Leading through actions rather than words, Magbegor’s career is entering a new chapter. After being the youngest player on many teams she has played for, she has grown into a steady presence for her nation.

In a domestic career which saw her become a WNBA champion in her rookie season in 2019, Magbegor has learned from teammates such as Sue Bird , Breanna Stewart , Alysha Clark , and Jewell Loyd .

With the national team, she has also had a golden generation of leaders to look to.

“With my personality, I’m definitely an observer ,” she said.

“Over the years I’ve watched different leadership styles; I’ve learned you don’t have to be the same, and I like to think I’ve taken things off of each of them and that has prepared me for this moment .

“I’m grateful for the fact that I didn’t have to change who I was in order to be seen as a leader here. I’m not going to change; I’m going to be who I am, and I’m here for everyone.”

BEL v AUS - Women’s Bronze Medal Game | Basketball | Olympic Games Paris 2024

The Women’s Basketball Bronze Medal Game took place on 11

2024 at Bercy Arena, Paris. Australia claimed the Bronze with an 85:81 win against Belgium.

Sandy Brondello on Ezi Magbegor: “It’s been amazing to watch her evolve”

It has been eight years since both Magbegor and coach Brondello made their FIBA World Cup debuts.

“I get emotional because she first made the Australian team as a young 18-year-old,” Brondello said as she announced her new 27-year-old captain.

“Ezi and I have been on a very long journey together. It’s been an amazing career, just to watch her evolve as a player but also the leader she is.

“I know she is going to lead this team the right way, just like our former captains have in Sami and Madge.

“I’m really proud. I always say she brings her authentic self to everything she does.”

Magbegor has also earned the support of her former captain.

“It feels like this moment has been building for a very long time. (Ezi) was born to be the Opals captain,” Whitcomb said in a video message to her successor.

Twenty years on from their sole FIBA World Cup victory in 2006, the mantle has been passed to a new set of leaders.

“It’s just something that comes with being an Opal, that legacy piece and recognising and acknowledging who put us in this position and who started that legacy,” Magbegor told ABC .

“Medals are quite synonymous with Opals, and we’ve won in the past and want to continue to win. I’m definitely looking to play my best basketball for the group and hopefully come away with the medal.”

Basketball | Women´s World Cup | Berlin | Germany