Brondello leads Aussies to bronze in Paris

Liberty coach earns fourth medal, first on bench

August 14, 2024 By John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Liberty coach Sandy Brondello helped guide her native Team Australia to a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. AP Photo by Mark J. Terrill

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Though she dreamed of leading her Opals to the top of the podium for the first time ever in Paris, New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello still made history at the 2024 Olympics.

Her native Team Australia captured its first medal since the 2012 London Games, grabbing the bronze in women’s basketball with Sunday’s 85-81 victory over Belgium in front of 11,968 fans at Bercy Stadium.

Ezi Magbegor scored 30 points on 12-of-17 shooting, pulled down 13 rebounds and blocked three shots for the Aussies, who began the tournament with a stunning upset loss to Nigeria two weeks ago.

The Opals won three in a row thereafter, knocking off Canada and host France to advance to the knockout stage before topping Serbia in the quarterfinals for a shot at the U.S. in the semifinals .

Unfortunately for Brondello, who won three medals as a player for Australia during her playing career, she didn’t get to return to her full-time coaching job with Brooklyn bragging rights.

Breanna Stewart scored 16 points and Sabrina Ionescu added eight as the two Liberty stars denied their own coach a shot at gold before grabbing it themselves with Sunday’s thrilling triumph over the French.

“We had to play a perfect game today,” Brondello admitted following last Friday’s 85-64 loss.

“I always say you got to believe that you can beat the U.S. But nine times out of 10, there’s one game where you maybe can get them on a bad day. And it wasn’t our best day here.”

They did much better on Sunday, giving 43-year-old Aussie center and former Brondello teammate Lauren Jackson a sweet going-away present in her Olympic swan song.

“I’ve been on the sidelines,” said Jackson, who grabbed her fifth Olympic medal. “I’ve been supporting the girls, and I think that’s, yeah, it has been one of my favorites absolutely.”

Brondello will get back to the task of leading the league-best Liberty (21-4) Thursday night in Los Angeles.

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The Brooklyn Nets released their NBA Cup schedule for the upcoming 2024-25 season on Tuesday.

Group Play games during the league’s in-season tournament will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays from Nov. 12 – Dec. 3.

Center Nic Claxton and the Nets will begin NBA Cup play on Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden against the East River rival Knicks. AP Photo by Chris Szagola

The Nets, who are in Group East A, will host Charlotte at Downtown’s Barclays Center on Nov. 19 and Orlando on Nov. 29. Tickets are on sale for both of those contests at Ticketmaster.

Brooklyn will also visit the East River rival New York Knicks on Nov. 15 and Philadelphia on Nov. 22.

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Over at Long Island University, the Sharks grabbed some medals of their own in Paris.

Sophomore Mo Elsayed won the bronze in the individual men’s épée bracket, making him the first active LIU student-athlete to reach the podium, according to the school’s website.

Sharks assistant fencing coach Sean McClain watched proudly as his daughter, Lauren Scruggs, captured the silver in individual foil fencing.

Scruggs broke new ground as the first U.S. woman to ever finish second in the event and was part of the team’s gold medal-winning squad in Paris.

“It was truly an honor to be a part of watching history unfold in Paris,” said McClain. “Seeing Lauren compete with the best in the world and then facing off for the gold against her own teammate was a remarkable experience and I couldn’t be prouder of her and the rest of the group.”

Former LIU track star Brendon Rodney helped Team Canada take gold in the men’s 4×100 relay, marking his first rise to the podium and third consecutive Olympics with at least one medal.

Former LIU track star Brendon Rodney was part of Team Canada’s gold medal-winning 4×100 relay team in Paris. AP Photo by Bernat Armangue

“LIU Track and Field is extremely proud to have witnessed alumni Brendon Rodney win the gold in the 4×100,” said Sharks Cross Country and Track and Field Director Stormie Charles.

“He is a testament to the opportunity available to our athletes here at LIU. Congratulations Brendon and know you have inspired the next generation of athletes here at LIU!”