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WNBA franchises Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream made a bold bid to secure Opals tyros Rebecca Allen and Natalie Burton respectively during the Australian team’s recent US trip.

Both stood out on tour and Opals coach Brendan Joyce was thrilled at the opportunity for his younger players to be exposed to WNBA-style athleticism.

“The young girls really stood up,” Joyce said.

“They will definitely be pushing for selection and if not for the World Championships (this year in Turkey), then certainly for Rio.

“But reallistically, they are going to be challenging the experienced players to retain their spots and they will be challenging the coaching staff to make the call.”

Clearly, it’s a great position in which Joyce now finds himself.

“The trip turned out to be really positive,” he said.

“We were playing against WNBA teams with players on those teams fighting for roster spots and minutes and trying to make an impression.

“Two of our players – Bec Allen by Seattle and Nat Burton by Atlanta – were offered (WNBA) opportunities but both decided to stay with our World Championship campaign.

“They are probably a year or two away (from WNBA) but they are long, athletic and quick and the types of players that league thrives on.”

Joyce said triple-Olympic veteran and WNBL All Star Five selection Laura Hodges was “outstanding” on tour and he also was impressed with Alice Kunek’s efforts.

He said Kunek, Tess Madgen, Allen and Burton adapted quickly to the WNBA style.

“It was a great experience for them playing against those athletic, quicker players,” Joyce said.

“We were in every game.

“The games were close but let’s just say when it’s close late in those games, they become (more) difficult to win.”

Joyce said he hoped a similar tour could take place every two years, ahead of World Championships and Olympics.

“Just to be exposed to those bigger, stronger, faster players was great for our younger guys,” he said.

The Opals now take a break before assembling again midway through next month for a training camp in Canberra with the focus narrowing on the 2014 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

TOMORROW: It’s “Female Friday” with an overdue WNBL update. Plus where Melbourne United got it right and where they have it wrong.