Australian basketball great Shane Heal believes the Opals are primed to win a medal in Paris – but admits the side cold be “in a lot of trouble” against the United States.

After a horror start to their Olympic campaign, the women’s team have bounced back and produced a clinical performance in their quarter-final clash with Serbia.

It’s been a long time between drinks in regards to taking home a prize from the Olympics for the Opals, with bronze at London 2012 the last medal for the green and gold.

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But according to Heal, who represented Australia at four Olympics during his career with the Boomers, the turnaround in form has them well-placed for success in the latter stages of the competition in Paris.

“They were way too good [against Serbia] – they’ve come into some domination after starting the tournament really poorly,” he said on Stan Sport’s Olympics Daily.

“We also spoke about their lack of preparation beforehand and it looked like it in the first few games but since then they have put the foot down and they are on fire.

“They are a powerhouse in world basketball, so not medalling and not making the top four in the last couple of Olympics, they had to bounce back and make a statement.

“We’ve got more talent than we’ve ever had before, with seven of the players in the WNBA. We’re not gonna beat America, let’s be honest – but I’m pretty confident that we can win a medal, I think it can happen now.

“They’ve got the depth, athleticism and talent, so we’re gonna have to try and bring them back and play a tough, slow, grind-out game.

“If we want to run the way we have been playing, we’re gonna be in a lot of trouble.” 

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The semi-final showdown with USA, which will take place in the early hours of Saturday morning (AEST), will be a gigantic test for the Aussies and will require a major upset.

However, the other semi includes Belgium and France – the latter of whom the Opals defeated in the group stage.

Heal also heaped praise on young gun Jade Melbourne, who notched 19 points against Serbia after a rough start to her first Olympics.

​”This is what it’s all about, you have to blood some of the young players to give them experience and she really struggled in the first couple of games,” he said.

“All superstars go through that, but she’s a young player of the future.

“She came out and played with a whole lot of confidence, she’s got through those difficult times and playing some really good basketball.

“She’s an important part of this Opals campaign to try and win a medal.”

Shane Heal will appear as a basketball expert on Stan Sport’s Olympics Daily and Paris Preview shows throughout the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.