Isobel Borlase’s trajectory to the Opals’ World Cup hero
“I mean, this kid’s only 22?” Australian head coach Sandy Brondello pointed to Borlase sat beside her in the press conference, a large smile on her face.
“Twenty-one,” her player quickly corrected.
“I told her before the game,” Australian head coach Sandy Brondello continued, “this was her game. A lot of these players had never been in a moment like this, but she was getting more comfortable; she was going to step up.”
The trajectory of Borlase’s career has perhaps been waiting for moments like this, but the circumstances required it.
Newly named captain Ezi Magbegor and Jade Melbourne withdrew from the match with a knock and illness, respectively; both resigned themselves to watching anxiously as their side held on. This comes after long-time captain and leader, Sami Whitcomb, was ruled out before the tournament began.
While some Opal veterans were present – Olympian Alex Wilson racked up eight assists, the highest of her major international career – there was only one Aussie on the floor for more than 30 minutes.
Entrusted with the most minutes was Borlase, the ever-energetic facilitator who turns 22 years old in three days’ time.
While she’s already the only player in the squad to have an Olympic medal to her name before her 20th birthday after contributing to bronze at Paris 2024 two years ago, Borlase has been at home and honed in Australia for years.
While Wednesday saw her marked next to Jackson’s name in the FIBA World Cup books, it is not the first time that her name has been among the Aussie greats. In February, she was crowned the WNBL’s MVP after a storming season with the Bendigo Spirit, and joining Jackson, Penny Taylor, and Elizabeth Cambage as players to have won the award under the age of 22.
“We speak a lot about the Opals’ legacy,” Borlase said. “To be in their company is pretty cool.
“They’ve inspired us to want to play for Australia. I just hope I’ve inspired someone tonight to want to play for Australia, because there’s no greater honour.”