Sandy Brondello named Australian Opals head coach

APPOINTMENT | Sandy Brondello of the @PhoenixMercury has been announced as the head coach of the Australian Opals: https://t.co/AreLA1FNoa pic.twitter.com/PgcZYyVPeX

— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) April 18, 2017

Phoenix Mercury's Sandy Brondello has been appointed head coach of the Australian women's national basketball team, Opals, Basketball Australia announced Tuesday.

Per the Basketball Australia website:

"Basketball Australia is thrilled to announce the appointment of Sandy Brondello as the coach of the Australian Opals with the signing marking the start of the four-year road to the Tokyo Olympics. 

"I am very honoured to be selected for the role of Opals head coach,” Brondello said. 

“I am beyond excited about the opportunity and I look forward to being back with the Opals team and building towards success in Tokyo.”"

Brondello will succeed Brendan Joyce and shall try to lead Australia to a medal finish in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after the country failed to secure a podium finish in the 2016 Rio Olympics last year.

The 48-year-old Brondello is no stranger to success, having led the Mercury to the 2014 WNBA title in only her first year coaching the squad.

As a member of the Opals in the past, Brondello has been part of two World Championship medal-winning teams and three Olympic medal-winning teams.