Brown and Brondello remain committed to Olympic gold bid

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Brown and Brondello remain committed to Olympic gold bid

By Roy Ward

Brett Brown is still locked in to coach the Australian Boomers and Sandy Brondello is committed to coach the Australian Opals for next year's Tokyo Olympics.

Basketball Australia chief executive Jerril Rechter told The Age on Tuesday she had commitments from both coaches for Tokyo despite the Olympics being postponed to 2021.

Brown, who coaches the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, is only returning to the national team for this Olympics, while Brondello, who also coaches WNBA side Phoenix Mercury, is two years into the national role and was tipped to continue beyond Tokyo.

Eye on the ball: Boomers and Philadelphia 76ers  coach Brett Brown, left, is set to balance his Olympic and NBA duties next year.

Eye on the ball: Boomers and Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown, left, is set to balance his Olympic and NBA duties next year. Credit: AP

But both the Boomers and Opals could face much different Olympic preparations depending on what international travel is allowed leading into the event where both will be aiming to wrestle the gold medal from the USA.

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"I've spoken to both Brett and Sandy and they are absolutely committed to our Olympic program for Tokyo 2020 but held in 2021," Rechter said.

"They are working on what it will look like for them as we had a fantastic pre-Olympic program organised for both our Opals and Boomers.

"We've got those plans in our back pocket and now we have to wait and see what those international travel restrictions will mean for us and our pre-Olympic preparations.

"Brett and Sandy have been fantastically committed to our men's and women's programs."

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BA continues to talk with the national teams they intended to play in the lead-up to Tokyo but all plans are paused until it's clear what can be arranged next year.

"Until we have a greater sense of what that international travel piece looks like, we will keep those plans in our back pocket," Rechter said.

Straight shooter: Opals and WNBA coach Sandy Brondello, centre, talks to Australian national team players.

Straight shooter: Opals and WNBA coach Sandy Brondello, centre, talks to Australian national team players. Credit: Getty Images

The women's 3x3 basketball team couldn't complete their Olympic qualifying tournament before the COVID-19 pandemic so it's unclear whether that tournament can still be held or how the 3x3 spots will be decided for Tokyo.

The WNBL commission has been meeting weekly to plan how next season could look.

The Age reported last week teams may go without imports and the season may start later than usual if it means they can have crowds for their games.

Rechter said the WNBL hoped to be able to announce key details and a tip-off date in the coming weeks.

BA is set to announce its return to play protocols for all levels of the sport on Wednesday.

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