Hard edge and buy-in: How the Gems took the world by storm

• The Australian Gems won silver at the FIBA U19 Women's World Cup, only losing to the USA in the final
• Gems guard Bonnie Deas was named in the tournament's All-Star Five
• Australian coach Renae Garlepp also received the tournament's Best Coach award

When you’re searching for success at a World Cup, you need 100% commitment from everyone involved and for the Australian Gems, their run to an incredible silver medal at the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup epitomised exactly that.

From head coach Renae Garlepp, to tournament All-Star Five member Bonnie Deas, to every player that pulled on the green and gold, the Gems shone bright on the world’s biggest stage.

“I'm so incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to coach this group,” Garlepp told basketball.com.au.

“The players and staff that we took away were genuinely great people.

“We had a clear vision going into the tournament, wanting us to share the ball and be one of the most physical teams in the world. To now look back and see how much buy-in we had, how every single person set their ego aside and committed to the greater good, that’s what made it so special.”

In a team full of rising stars, all of whom would be used to being the star on domestic teams throughout their junior careers, getting that buy-in doesn’t always happen. It’s a credit to Garlepp and each player that Australia’s depth was ultimately the difference as the minutes were shared around and every player gave their all on both ends of the court.

Garlepp pointed to warm-up games in Portugal before the tournament as being vital in preparing her team for the tough road ahead and instilling that buy-in.

“We weren’t sure how our rotations would shake out heading into the campaign, but after those four games in Portugal, it became clear, our edge was our defensive toughness,” she said.

“Then we realised how fast we could play, with disciplined spacing and, most importantly, a real willingness to share the ball. That combination built a genuine confidence within the group.

“That style demanded a lot of hard work, so having the ability to rotate and the depth to do it was a real advantage, and we leaned into it.”

That depth, highlighted by having a 16-year-old in Madi Ryan and 17-year-old Sitaya Fagan start all six games, displays just how exciting the future of Australian basketball truly is.

“It’s so exciting to see,” she said.

“We had such a wide age range across the team, but once we were there, you couldn’t tell who was young or old. The girls did an incredible job of supporting each other, it just felt like 12 players completely on the same page.”

“You’d never have guessed Madi [Ryan] was one of the youngest, or that some of the girls were top-age — they were just so inclusive.”

They stood united as one and remained steadfast in their belief. The final group game against France was the ultimate test and the Gems passed with flying colours. A loss to the European champions would’ve meant the Gems crossed over to the USA side of the draw, so clearly there was plenty on the line and the defence was on another level.

A highlight block from Deas in the second quarter got the Gems going and Manuela Puoch’s block on France’s final shot attempt was the exclamation point on a game that sent a message to the rest of the tournament that Australia meant business.

“We didn’t make a big deal about how massive the game really was, but France, being the powerhouse they are in Europe, made it a huge matchup,” she said.

“I don’t think the girls fully realised the magnitude, and honestly, that worked in our favour.

“We framed it as just another game against a top European team, and we were going to throw everything we had at it. Credit to the girls, they played so well and fought so hard from start to finish.”

Thinking back on the moments that mattered throughout the tournament, Garlepp mentioned every game had pivotal plays, but coming back from 10 points down with under two minutes remaining in the third quarter against Hungary in the quarter-final stands out, and she never lost faith.

“We knew Hungary were going to be really tough, we watched enough to know how hard it was going to be,” she said.

“They probably had the most similar style to us, they shared the ball really well.

“Even when we were down 10, I never felt like we were going to lose. I just believed we’d find a way. It was ugly at times, don’t get me wrong, but this group had the grit to keep pushing. What they did in that game was incredible.”

Throughout the tournament, players each had their own moments. Whether it was Deas’ relentlessness on both ends, Puoch’s paint presence, Fagan’s chasedown block against the USA, Ryan’s electric first quarter against Brazil, Monique Bobongie’s big-time shot-making, Sienna Harvey and Ruby Perkins’ elite playmaking, Zara Russell and Prasayus Notoa’s efficient scoring.

The future of Australian basketball showcased their talents, both individually and collectively, and Garlepp is proud to have been part of it and will follow their respective journeys from here.

“To experience something as big as this as we have together, I'm thrilled to follow their college or WNBL journeys to see where they end up,” she said.

“No doubt they've all got what it takes because they've all got an incredible work ethic, so I'm pumped to see where they all end up.”

While it was an absolute collective effort, there’s no doubt Bonnie Deas was the leader, and was duly recognised with All-Star Five honours. She played inspired basketball from the opening tip, willing her way to the basket on drive after drive, hitting the game-clinching triple against Hungary and meeting the challenge on the defensive end head on.

“Bonnie was so tough at both ends of the floor,” Garlepp said.

“She led the way, and what she did and how hard she played became contagious. She's a great person on and off the court and you can tell the players just want to be around her.”

Reflecting on a tournament that saw the Gems make it all the way to the final, be right there with the USA for three-and-a-half quarters and come home with a silver medal, Garlepp admits what they achieved hasn’t fully sunk in.

“I don't think it has [sunk in] yet to be honest,” she said.

“It’s such a whirlwind, but I look forward to sitting back for a little bit and reflecting, but there’s nothing but gratitude at the moment.

“It's the highest of honours to represent Australia in any way, and you can feel that whether it's the players or any of the staff. It's such an incredibly special moment and it's something that I'll never take for granted.”

Garlepp won’t ever take the responsibility for granted and you can tell that from the way she coaches and the way her players play for her. It was due recognition when she was awarded the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup Best Coach.

“Definitely a surprise, but really, it felt shared, it says more about the group. We had an incredible staff and players who went all in," she said.

The way the Gems secured the silver medal is a true indication of Garlepp’s connection and trust with her players, and the sheer brilliance of the 12 that wore the green and gold.

About the Author

Hayley Wildes is passionate about all things Australian women’s basketball and loves to highlight the stories of players from all levels and competitions across the globe. From our own backyard in the WNBL, to the WNBA and the Opals, and everything in between, Hayley has you covered.