Basketball legend Lauren Jackson will shine at the World Cup for the fifth time after a 12-year absence, making her return to the national team. The 41-year-old has been named to the 12-player Opal squad for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup which kicks off in Sydney on September 22.
Jackson retired from international basketball nine years ago, Jackson’s last appearance at the World Cup in 2010. The four-time Olympic medalist and three-time WNBA Player of the Year was dominant and decorated around the world until she was forced to retire in March 2016 due to injury. continuous knee.
Jackson transitioned into basketball management after her soccer career, working for the WNBL’s Melbourne Boomers before moving on to Australian basketball to lead the league and oversee women’s rings in the state. But after starring with Albury-Wondonga in the final season of NBL1, Jackson earned a call up to the Australian team’s camp in June before starring in Opal’s scrimmages in New York last month.
“Congratulations Lauren Jackson, you’re going to another World Cup,” Opals coach Sandy Brundello announced via video call. “You must be incredibly proud, Lauren, and I am so proud because what you did to accomplish this is truly amazing. It shows a lot about you as a person and your hard work and dedication.”
Jackson wept when Brundello told him of his choice. “There was a lot of emotion when Sandy called me, she was crying a little bit to be honest,” Jackson said. “I was working my body so hard that I honestly didn’t know if it would hold up to my intense training regimen, but it did and I feel good.”
After retiring, Jackson revealed that he experienced “shakes” when he ditched the prescription drugs he relied on during his career. In a 2018 Fox Sports documentary, the daughter of two local basketball players also spoke about her struggles with the lack of support from the Basketball Association upon retiring.
But Jackson also revealed that he has started training again in his hometown, hoping to fit in with the local Albury-Wodonga Bandits team. Four years later, and 27 years since he first formed the Opal gang when he was 14, he is back in green and gold.
Brundello, who has competed in the World Cup four times, said Jackson deserved his place. “It’s always tough to make the final cut to 12 with so many top athletes pushing for selection,” Brundello said. “Training camp in New York showed how much each of these athletes wanted to compete in his homeland, and the competition for a spot on the team was fierce.
“Of course, Lauren’s inclusion is a talking point, but from my point of view, she has put in the effort and deserves to be here, and will add another dimension to our team dynamic.”
The Aussies are looking to improve on the silver they won in 2018 in Spain under current coach Sandy Brundillo. Ranked third in the world, Opals are tied in Group C, with group matches against France, Serbia, Japan, Mali and Canada.
To confirm the experience in the team, Beck Allen and Kayla George will return for their third tournament, and Mariana Tolo, Steve Talbot, Sammy Whitcombe, Tess Madjen and Izzie Magbigor will play the second World Cup final. Sarah Blekafs, Darcy Garbin, Anneli Mali and Kristi Wallace will make their debut.
There are five current players in the WNBA, including Allen (New York Liberty), Magbegor (Seattle Storm), Whitcomb (New York Liberty), Wallace (Atlanta Dream), and Talbot (Seattle Storm).
Missing is Liz Campig, the former champion, who controversially dropped out of the Tokyo Olympics squad last year under a cloud over allegations she made racist comments against competing Nigerian players. Cambridge, 30, parted ways with the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks last month after just 25 games, a “decade-long divorce” that makes the All Star Center unlikely to play four times for Australia again.
The World Cup final ends on September 22 in Sydney.
Australia Women’s Basketball Team 2022 FIBA: Beck Allen, Sarah Blekafs, Darcy Garbin, Kayla George, Lauren Jackson, Izzy Magbigor, Tess Madjean, Anneli Mali, Steve Talbot, Mariana Tolo, Christy Wallace, Sammy Whitcomb.
