SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara junior women's basketball player Maddison Allen has been selected as part of the squad for Australia in the upcoming World University Games. If Allen is selected for the team she will travel to play in South Korea from June 3-14. The Australian women won gold in 2007 and bronze in 2005, 2009, 2011, and 2013.
"It was a real surprise for me to be selected because 15 of the players are playing pro at the moment," said Allen. "It's such an honor to even be considered among that squad, even if I don't get to go."
"We have a lot of youth but we have to create depth in the long term for the Opals so it is a great opportunity for our younger players to get some international experience," said Australian head coach Brendan Joyce. "The biggest thing we want to get out of the Games is to expose the younger players to international competition and if European teams load up on some of their [Olympic caliber] players as they have in the past, it's going to be a strong competition. On top of that, we are aiming to medal."
"What an honor for Maddie to be selected to such an elite group of young women," said Santa Clara head coach JR Payne. "There are so many great Aussies playing here in the US, so to be selected in that company is fabulous. It will be fun to watch Maddie represent her country as well as Santa Clara in the World University Games."
After transferring from Cal Poly, Allen led Santa Clara with 33 blocks during the 2014-15 season. She scored 3.9 points per game to go with 3.6 rebounds per game and made eight starts in 28 appearances. She scored a season-high 13 points in the Broncos upset win over LSU on Nov. 25, 2014 in Mexico and pulled down nine offensive rebounds on Dec. 6, 2014 at Air Force.