A quest for a first Olympic gold saw a “shattered” end in Opals’ final warm-up game for Rebecca Allen. In an unfortunate turn of events, the WNBA veteran aggravated a high-grade hamstring injury against Canada in Spain on Tuesday. Nonetheless, that opens the door of opportunity for another talented Opal to make an impact. And if Amy Atwell does manage to stand on the gold medal podium on August 11, she will join an elite list of athletes accomplishing this feat on their Olympic debut.

She had been attending the training sessions in Paris along with the national squad. Turns out, it was a smart decision for sharpshooting guard Amy Atwell as she finally got her Olympic call. After years of struggle that also included a brief stretch in the WNBA, the 26-year-old gets a worthy platform to showcase her skill set while performing an essential national duty. But, before everyone can catch a glimpse of what she can bring to the table, let’s dive in to know why she is deemed a worthy replacement for Rebecca Allen!

The love affair with basketball for Amy Atwell

Making her way from the rugged environment of Perth, Western Australia, Atwell was one of the few fortunate youngsters. Purely because she had athletic genes running in her veins. Hailing from one of the eminent sporting families in WA, which included a 2004 WA Football Hall of Fame grandfather Mal, she grew up developing skills in a range of sports.

One of them was softball when she was finishing up her High School studies at Penrhos College. But it didn’t take long for the 6 ft guard to figure out where she could realize her true potential, and as a junior, she got scouted by the Willetton Tigers.

Then, in 2016, Hawaii Rainbow Wahine took note of the immense potential she possessed and paved the way for her to relocate to the United States. Sadly, Atwell had to redshirt as a freshman due to an unexpected injury. Following this, her debut season was a rather quiet affair as her 24 games could only produce 4.3 PPG and 2.4 RPG. Things picked up a notch in the 2019-20 season where her double-digit average (10.6 PPG) not only got her an honorable mention in the Big West Conference but also made her the Best Sixth Player.

Anyhow, she signed off her college career after the 2021–22 campaign. But Atwell made sure she did just that by making an emphatic statement. She saved her best for the last as a scoring average of 17.8 points and a rebounding rate of 6.9 was enough for her to be adjudged the Big West Player of the Year and make it to the team All-Big West. In addition to this, Amy Atwell became the 23rd Rainbow Wahine name to cross the 1000-point mark. Moreover, a total of 205 three-pointers guaranteed her the top spot in Rainbow Wahine’s history. And perhaps such accolades made a significant case for her in the 2022 WNBA Draft.

Atwell’s professional career

She was picked 27th Overall in the 3rd round by the LA Sparks. However, this association was short-lived. Despite featuring in the opening night roster, the then 24-year-old could only offer her services for 4 games. After the Sparks waived her in the opening week of June 2022, she headed back to Australia to join the Perth Lynx.

After this, the 2023 NBL1 South season saw her sign up with the Bendigo Braves. Consequently, a Grand Final MVP exhibition comprising 36 points, and 8 rebounds to go along with two assists brought home the Braves NBL1 South championship. Bendigo repeated something similar in the NBL1 National championship. Atwell’s efforts here earned her a place in the NBL1 National Finals All-Star Five.

The Lynx opened their doors again for Amy Atwell again in 2023. Some sparkling performances quickly followed this development, including 30 points and a career-high 9 three-pointers against the Southside Flyers in the grand final series. A 2–1 series loss made her represent the Bendigo Braves in the NBL1 South for the 2024 season. At the same time, an invite to join the Phoenix Mercury gave her a chance to re-live her WNBA days. For the time being, Atwell is again a part of the Perth Lynx and currently serving as its vice-captain. She capped off an amazing season garnering 18.8 points per game (finished 2nd) while connecting 40.1 % from beyond the arc.

Undeniably, Amy Atwell weaved an illustrious professional career for herself. Having said that, there are some notable takeaways of her services for the Opals worthy of a look.

Atwell as an Opal

Making her debut for the national team in the 2023 FIBA Asia Cup, Atwell soon made a reputation for being among the best three-point shooters in Australia. And this was instrumental in the Opals clinching a bronze medal in her debut tournament in Sydney. Moreover, she is also an active part of the 3×3 and whenever the situation demands, shares the responsibilities alongside Anneli Maley and Ally Wilson.

It will indeed be a great chance for Amy Atwell to show the whole world what she’s capable of. A spectacle like the Olympics has earlier as well made the careers of numerous athletes. Only time will tell what the next 14 days hold for this talented player.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.