SUZY Batkovic remains confident the Opals can strive for an Olympic medal in Tokyo despite the recent loss of key player Liz Cambage.
The three-time Games medallist feels the current Australian women's basketball squad, including Newcastle pair Katie Ebzery and Leilani Mitchell, are more than capable of regrouping for this campaign.
Batkovic, a Novocastrian now based in Townsville having retired from the sport, acknowledges the impact of Cambage's shock departure from camp in Las Vegas less than two weeks ago but simply says it now comes down to teamwork.
"It might not be one particular person who makes up for the loss of Liz, but I think everyone chipping in can make up for the loss of Liz," Batkovic told the Newcastle Herald.
Batkovic, who has crossed paths with most of, if not all, the Opals group on the court previously, was impressed by the way they bounced back almost immediately from the unexpected controversy.
"Obviously it's been a bit of a turbulent time, but it was great to see them bounce back when they played the US and won [an exhibition match]," she said.
"It will be a completely different game once they get to the real stage, but to pull together after losing the main piece of their puzzle shows to me they can handle adversity and shows a hell of a lot of character."
Batkovic, 40, represented Australia at three Olympics, claiming silver at both Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008) plus bronze in London (2012).
The six-time WNBL MVP has no doubt the Opals in 2021 share her passion and can push for that elusive gold medal in women's basketball.
"Representing my country has been one of the proudest things I've done in my life," she said.
"No doubt these guys feel the exact same way. They are ready to rumble and give everything they've got to try and win every game and also try to win that gold."
Batkovic says fellow Hunters junior Ebzery has a "blue-collar work ethic" and "sometimes goes under the radar, does a lot for the game but may not have a lot of points on the board".
She describes Mitchell as someone "you always want on your team", who "reads the floor well" and capable of stepping up in "big moments".
Mitchell celebrated the birthday of son Kash on the weekend and also unveiled custom made playing shoes, which incorporates the Torres Strait Islander flag to mark her Indigenous heritage.
The Opals face Belgium on Tuesday (6:20pm, AEST), China on Friday (10pm) and Puerto Rico on Monday (10pm).
Play-offs in the women's competition are scheduled between August 4 and 8.
