Basketballer Rachel Jarry is still coming to terms with the fact that she is going to the Olympics as part of the Opals squad. 66850 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By MICHAEL ESPOSITO
GOING to the Olympics might be the realisation of a long held dream, but it’s only the beginning for Hoppers Crossing basketballer Rachel Jarry.
The former Altona junior is the youngest player on the London-bound Australian Opals side – the second ranked women’s basketball team in the world.
The 20-year-old can still scarcely believe her name was announced in the 12-woman squad on 22 June.
“It still hasn’t sunk in,” Jarry said. “I don’t think that it will until we get into the village. It’s just so exciting to be playing for Australia at the Olympics. It’s still quite overwhelming.”
The Opals recently delivered a clean sweep in its three-game Farewell Series against Brazil, culminating in a crushing 44-point victory on Thursday.
Jarry said the series was an ideal lead-in to the Olympics.
“Brazil are a tough side and they’re in our pool at the Olympics, so it was really important to have a good showing against them,” she said.
As the squad’s most junior player, Jarry is not expecting to be front-and-centre in the team.
“My role is to create a bit of energy and defensive spark when I come on court,” she said.
“I’m not going to be the main scorer but my job will be to get the ball to the big girls in Liz Cambage and Lauren Jackson.
“This is the first year I’ve ever played for Australia. I’m still learning to play with different people and we’re still defining our roles within the team. It’s about getting the chemistry right.”
While the Olympics is the altimeter sporting competition, it could be be the start of a long and successful career for Jarry, who will head to the US to play for Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA after the London Games.
“Hopefully I get two or three Olympics under my belt,” Jarry said. There are so many players with experience in the team and they are willing to share that with all of us.”
