DECEMBER 10, 2015 – New York Liberty forward Rebecca Allen has been named to the Australian Opals national team that will compete in a test event in Rio de Janeiro this January as a warm-up prior to the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Allen was one of 12 players named to the squad, which will conduct a short training session at Carioca Arena at the Barra Olympic Park prior to playing exhibition games against teams from Brazil, Venezuela, and Argentina.
“I’m so happy to be selected for the Rio test event,” said Allen. “I’m definitely still in the process of getting my game rhythm back after my injury, and I am improving every week. I’m really looking forward to representing Australia again and playing on the international stage, it will be a good challenge for both myself and the team.”
Allen was able to play just two games for the Liberty last season, her first in the WNBA, prior to being forced to sit out the rest of the year due to injury. But over a short period of time in the preseason and early in year, she displayed a unique athleticism and versatile skill set that electrified the crowd whenever she stepped on the court.
Allen made her return to action last month, when she opened play with the South East Queensland Stars in the WNBL. As she eases back to elite-level competition, Allen has appeared in six games for SEQ and is averaging 6.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 19.8 minutes per game.
Previously, Allen has represented Australia at the 2011 FIBA Under-19 World Championships in Chile, and the 2014 World Championship in Turkey, where she helped the Opals capture a Bronze medal.