Bonnie Deas: Polishing a Gem into a future Opal

• 'Chemistry' is jewel in crown for U19 Gems squad
• Head coach Renae Garlepp comes full circle with Australian Gems
• Australian Gems will be 'fun and gritty' and get 'hands dirty'
• Gems moulded into U19 World Cup silver medals
• Hard edge and buy-in: How the Gems took the world by storm

Australian Gems guard Bonnie Deas is hoping four years at the University of Arkansas will polish her into a future Opals star.

The 19-year-old Victorian led Australia to a silver medal at the FIBA Women's Under-19 World Cup in July, including a clutch three-pointer that propelled the Gems into the semi-finals en route to a gold medal showdown with the United States.

Deas, who was named to the World Cup's All-Star Five, committed to the Razorbacks last year at the same time she was a development player for the WNBL's Sydney Flames. She averaged 12.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, three assists, and a steal in six World Cup games.

Deas spoke exclusively about the road to the World Cup silver medal to basketball.com.au's Bec Cole for the latest episode of It's A Cole World.

"It was an incredible experience," Deas said.

"We (were) projected fifth at the start of the tournament, and to come away with second, it was incredible.

"It’s just props to us girls. We just played for each other and coming away with the individual award — it was very unexpected. I'm very, very honoured to receive that."

Bonnie Deas

Date of Birth: May 18, 2006
Height: 178 cm (5'10")
Position: Guard
State: Frankston, Victoria (Australia)

Australian Gems head coach Renae Garlepp said grit, determination and chemistry were the keys to success heading into the tournament and Deas revealed the team delivered on all three.

"A lot of us girls hadn't played together before," she said.

"We had a pre-nations tournament before World Cup that really helped us build a culture and get really close with everyone.

"Our first game at our pre-nations tournament to our last game, we grew so much and everyone could tell. (It) really helped us be together and connect.

"On court, we're just so unselfish, we just all want to play for each other. Renee instilled that confidence into us. It was so good to be a part of."

Deas admitted the United States were tough in the Gold Medal Final but the Gems didn't back down.

"We didn’t want to change anything about our game plan," she declared.

"We had to scout the full 12 roster team. We just wanted to keep playing physical, keep playing for each other, moving the ball.

"Obviously didn’t win, but we still gave them a good crack at it."

Best Under-19 World Cup Game: Brazil (July 13, 2025 — Group Phase)

• Minutes: 24
• Points: 17
• FG: 6/11 (54.5%)
• 3PT: 2/7 (28.6%)
• Rebounds: 9
• Assists: 4
• Steals: 1
• Efficiency: 22

2025 World Cup Tournament snapshot

• Named to the tournament's All-Star Five.
• Averaged 12.3 points (19th overall), 7.7 rebounds (6th overall), and 3 assists across 6 games.
• Delivered consistent scoring, with double-digit points in 4 of 6 games.
• Balanced shooting: 34.7% overall FG, 34.5% on 2PT, and 35.0% from 3PT range.
• Strong free-throw shooting at 83.3% (15/18).
• Assertive on the boards, averaging 7.7 rebounds per game with a 5.2 defensive rebound rate.
• Showed all-round impact: 1 steal and 0.8 blocks per game.
• Tournament-high 17 points twice (vs Brazil, vs Hungary), including a perfect 12/12 free throws vs Hungary.
• Played heavy minutes in key games, including 33 minutes in both the quarter-final and final.

Deas is preparing to go to the United States to start her college basketball career later this year.