Opals legend Sandy Brondello and Paralympic champion Dylan Alcott are set to join Australia's sporting elite after being named in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame's Class of 2026.
The pair were announced among seven new inductees at Melbourne Park today, joining an illustrious list of Australian sporting legends including Cathy Freeman, Ian Thorpe and Dawn Fraser.
A trailblazer of Australian women's basketball, Brondello has enjoyed an extraordinary career both as a player and coach, representing the Opals at four Olympic Games before transitioning to the sidelines.
Since taking the reins as Opals head coach in 2017, Brondello has guided the team to bronze medals at the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney and the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her success also extends to the WNBA, where she has won two championships as a head coach and now leads the league's newest franchise, the Toronto Tempo.
A Paralympic champion across two sports, Alcott first tasted Paralympic gold with the Rollers at Beijing 2008, before adding a silver medal at London 2012. His success continued in wheelchair tennis, which he had played as a junior, where he became a global superstar with 23 Grand Slam titles and three more Paralympic gold medals.
Beyond his sporting success, Alcott is an advocate for people with disability, championing inclusion, accessibility and greater opportunities for future generations.
Basketball Australia CEO Matt Scriven said the recognition was a proud moment for Australian basketball.
"Sandy and Dylan have both made an incredible impact on Australian basketball, and it's fantastic to see them recognised among the country's sporting greats.
“While their paths have been different, both have achieved so much throughout their careers and continue to contribute to Australian sport in meaningful ways.
“We're extremely proud of everything they've achieved and the positive influence they continue to have.”
Both will be formally inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame at the Induction and Awards Gala on Tuesday, 24 November, at Centrepiece, Melbourne Park.
