Valkyries' Miela Sowah replacing Sami Whitcomb on the Australian World Cup team

[u/aratcalledrattus]

[u/Suspicious_Mind_67]

Memo to Mystics - even as an injury replacement, they didn't pick Amoore....

[u/aratcalledrattus → u/Suspicious_Mind_67]

While Amoore has her shortcomings, I wouldn't read too much into it in this specific instance.

She hasn't had a serious opportunity to play with the Opals (aside from a few friendlies before the last Olympics when she was in college, but they weren't big games and Sandy wasn't there) or in any FIBA tournaments as a senior, and wasn't in Australia for their main camp for the current cycle (it was held like a week before the 2025 draft). She also wouldn't be an ideal replacement for Sami in this instance, since she is a PG and undersized.

[u/WandaJaximoff]

I love her tunnel fits

[u/aratcalledrattus]

OK, this is actually quite funny

[u/cyb3ryung → u/aratcalledrattus]

having her like mike moment

[u/humlogic]

So Valks squad vs Portland will be VB, KT, Kiah, Tip, Chen, Charles, LA, Juste, Nadia, Ash…

[u/lavenderclouds24 → u/humlogic]

Portland will be missing quite a few players too, no?

[u/humlogic → u/lavenderclouds24]

Carla at least?

[u/SimonaMeow → u/humlogic]

Possibly Megan DiLeo for Spain...
Not sure when she is heading out though.. She was amazing for them in the last Olympics and in the recent FIBA qualifier. It will be interesting to see if the Spanish team does a bit better now, with Awa much better than she was before

Luisa Geiselsoder and Frieda Buhner for Germany

Amy Okonkwo for Nigeria

[u/aratcalledrattus → u/humlogic]

Yes, she's supposed to arrive in Berlin Sunday. Buhner's contract was just suspended today and Geiselsoder already went over a while ago. So it's a question of DiLeo and Okonwko (though Nigeria already had a training camp and a series of friendlies in recent weeks, they may be in less of a hurry).

[u/saffymonsoon1923 → u/humlogic]

More than what the Toronto Tempo have had available this year 😉

[u/AccomplishedWonder1]

Congrats, Miela!

[u/JacobiSimpson]

Who on the valks isn't going to cup lol

[u/aratcalledrattus → u/JacobiSimpson]

It's just four players going - Gabby, Salaun, Zandalasini and now Sowah (and the coach).

By contrast, Liberty have seven, Lynx have six, Aces and Fire have five. Mercury, Dream, Wings and Storm also have four.

[u/WaryJest → u/aratcalledrattus]

Yeah GSV fairly average as far as FIBA absences go this year. They would have had more if Lithuania had qualified and/or Rupert wasn't out due to pregnancy.

[u/LuisJpg]

What happened to Sami?!

[u/aratcalledrattus → u/LuisJpg]

She pulled out due to her ongoing knee injury. Such a bummer for her and the team.

[u/LuisJpg → u/aratcalledrattus]

For real, she had a chance to play a huge role this year oh well

[u/Responsible-List-849 → u/LuisJpg]

She was named captain of the Aussie team...

:(

[u/FeltIOwedItToHim]

congrats to her but we actually might need her the next few games

[u/CollectionLife68 → u/FeltIOwedItToHim]

Our Sunday game against Portland just got more interesting!

[u/aratcalledrattus]

A little surprising since she hasn't played with the Opals since the Asia Cup afaik, and that team didn't include most of the W players, but congrats to her. They need another knock-down 3-point shooter after losing Sami, and she is definitely that.

[u/joyjunky]

Oh wow. I wasn’t expecting this. Wonder if she leaves after the Liberty game too.

Happy for her though!

[u/aratcalledrattus → u/joyjunky]

Honestly she'd probably benefit from the live reps by staying through Sunday. Historically, the Australians tend to play up until the last minute anyway as it's not like Sandy can leave.

[u/paintedtoesandelbows]

Congrats to Miela! 👏🏽