BENGALURU, India — Santa Clara women's basketball freshman Tess Heal spent last week with the Australia U18 Women's National Team at the FIBA U18 Women's Asian Championship. She helped the Gems not only qualify for the 2023 FIBA U19 Women's World Cup, but was also part of the team's first-ever championship at the event, as the Gems went undefeated to hoist the trophy.

Heal was named to the team in August. She played in all five games for Australia, averaging 7.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game. She shot nearly 60% from two-point range (57.9%) and was a 33.3% 3-point shooter for the Gems. Her biggest performance came in group play on Thursday against South Korea. She scored 16 points, dished three assists, grabbed a rebound and a steal in Australia's 30-point, 96-66 victory.

Australia asserted its dominance early in the group phase, getting comfortable wins against India (116-49), New Zealand (111-44) and South Korea to advance straight through to the semifinal. The Gems were challenged for the first time in the semis against Chinese Taipei, but Australia proved too strong, taking a 70-61 victory to set up the Grand Final Match against China.

In the final, Australia's Isla Juffermans once again stood up for Australia putting up 26 points along with 15 rebounds and three steals. Heal scored six points, had four rebounds and an assist against China to help the Gems clinch the title – their first after finishing third at the event in 2018.

Australia, China, Japan, and Chinese Taipei are qualified for the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2023 which will be played in Madrid, Spain, in July.

Heal is one of six newcomers to the Broncos this season, including two other Aussies in transfers Jayde Cadee and Olivia Pollerd. The Broncos return eight players from 2021-22, including fellow Australian Lara Edmanson.