Ebzery and fellow Newcastle player Leilani Mitchell were named in the Australian women's basketball squad on Wednesday, less than two months out from the opening ceremony.

The announcement came at the same time Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, an official partner of the international sporting event, published an editorial suggesting the already postponed Olympics should be called off amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We'd be devastated if the Games were cancelled now so we're all just full steam ahead," Ebzery told the Newcastle Herald.

"We know it's not going to be a normal Olympics, but we'll do whatever we can to play. With that WNBL experience last year it means the girls have been in hubs and bubbles and quarantine so they know what to do which is a positive."

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The Charlestown 31-year-old, now living in Sydney, said there was a certain sense of "relief" making the national team despite being a mainstay since Rio in 2016 and cited a feeling of "familiarity" among the 12 players selected.

"It's really exciting. A big chunk of the girls won that silver at the World Cup in Spain in 2018 so there's a familiarity there," Ebzery said.

"Especially in a year like this with limited preparation, having played together before makes a difference."

She backs the comments of coach Sandy Brondello, who said the Opals "will be doing everything we can to go for gold".

"That's what we're going there to do," Ebzery said.

Ebzery will continue playing for the Newcastle Hunters in the NSW Waratah League during the coming weeks after returning to her junior club earlier this month.

Mitchell scored six points and had three assists in her 15 minutes on court as the Washington Mystics defeated Indiana Fever 85-69 on Wednesday (AEST).

The 35-year-old adopted Novocastrian, who lives at Hamilton, has played in all five of Washington's games since their WNBA season opener on May 15.

Mitchell and five other US-based players will join the Opals in Las Vegas to finalise preparations in July.

Australia have drawn Puerto Rico, China and Belgium in the preliminary rounds.

OPALS: Rebecca Allen, Liz Cambage, Katie Ebzery, Cayla George, Tessa Lavey, Tess Madgen, Ezi Magbegor, Leilani Mitchell, Jenna O'Hea, Alanna Smith, Stephanie Talbot, Marianna Tolo.

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