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Bec Allen played in the Opals' charge to World Cup bronze with a partially collapsed lung and two broken ribs, Basketball Australia has confirmed.
Allen took a heavy hit to the ribs during Australia's win over Serbia in the group stage at the Sydney-based tournament late last month, leaving the court in a wheelchair and missing the next two games.
Scans initially revealed no structural damage, paving the way for Allen to return in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Coach Sandy Brondello made the decision to rest her for Australia's last match of the tournament, a win over Canada that secured the Opals' fourth World Cup bronze medal.
Allen went in for further medical assessment in Melbourne after experiencing discomfort in the weeks after the tournament.
On Wednesday morning, Basketball Australia revealed the 29-year-old had suffered two broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung.
"Everyone who witnessed the impact of that collision saw how much pain I was in," Allen said.
Allen will recover in Melbourne before returning to Europe to play with Spanish side Valencia Basket.
"I've had my fair share of injuries during my career," she said.
"I know my body, and I will do the work to recover and return to the court as soon as I can."
AAP