For so long it has seemed a matter of "when", not "if".
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Now a pair of rising Canberra Capitals stars are another step closer towards realising their Opals dream.
Maddison Rocci will join Keely Froling in the Emerging Opals squad at the World University Games in Naples beginning on July 3.
Their selection comes as the Capitals prepare to unveil the seventh member of their 2019-20 WNBL squad in preparation for their title defence.
The Summer Universiade will cap off a hectic schedule for Froling, who is in Amsterdam as part of Australia's three-on-three FIBA World Cup bid.
It will provide her with a long-awaited opportunity to play alongside her sister Alicia Froling, who has spent the past few years playing college basketball in the United States at Southern Methodist University.
Froling returns to defend the gold medal she claimed in 2017 alongside former Capitals Lauren Scherf and Abbey Wehrung.
Another ex-Capital in first round WNBA draft pick Ezi Magbegor will add a wealth of class to the WNBL talent-laden squad.
Meanwhile, Canberra product and former Illawarra Hawks coach Rob Beveridge will take the reins of the Emerging Boomers squad.
Emerging Opals squad: Alicia Froling, Keely Froling, Lara McSpadden, Ezi Magbegor, Anneli Maley, Stephanie Reid, Maddison Rocci, Lauren Scherf, Alex Sharp, Jasmine Simmons, Abbey Wehrung. Coach: Shannon Seebohm.
Emerging Opals World Uni Games fixture:
July 3: Group game - Emerging Opals v Finland at 10.00pm
July 5: Group game - Emerging Opals v Canada at 2.30am
July 5: Group game - Emerging Opals v China at 7.30pm
July 8: Quarter-finals - Teams TBC at 2.30am or 5am
July 9: Semi-finals - Teams TBC at 2.30am or 5am
July 11: Medal games - Teams TBC at 2.30am and 5am