Lauren Jackson’s back as the Opals announce FIBA World Cup team
In March 2016, Australian sports icon Lauren Jackson officially retired from professional basketball as lingering injuries continued to plague her body.
Over six years later, Jackson hit a stunning 180 and returned to professional basketball in Australia’s second division league NBL1, with her sights firmly set on the 2022 FIBA ββWorld Championship.
Those dreams have now become a reality as Jackson has been named as one of 12 players set to compete for the Opals this September.
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Australia head coach @SBrondello tells legendary @laurenej15 that she will play with the Opals at her 5th World Championship π₯²#FIBAWWC x @BasketballAUS π¦πΊ pic.twitter.com/AHwr2k6Ne2
β FIBA ββWomen’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) August 9, 2022
This comeback is remarkable – 41-year-old Jackson will compete in her fifth FIBA ββWorld Cup.
But it’s not unjustified. Since her return to basketball, Jackson has been a nearly unstoppable force for her team, the Albury-Wodonga Bandits, averaging 32.4 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
As a true testament to her greatness, Jackson and her team play at her eponymous stadium, the Lauren Jackson Sports Center in Albury.
After she was selected, Jackson said that although she had her sights set on the World Cup, at times she was unsure if she would make it, which made her final selection all the sweeter.
“There were a lot of emotions when Sandy [Brondello] called me, I cried a bit to be honest,” Jackson said.
“I’ve been working hard on my body and honestly I didn’t know if it would hold up to my intense training regimen, but it did and I feel good.
βThe whole team was so welcoming and made me feel at home, the age difference disappears as soon as I step onto the pitch.
“I believe in this team and what we can achieve. If I can help get us onto the podium then the hard work will be worth it.”
Aside from Jackson, the Opals will have an impressive squad led by WNBA talents Ezi Magbegor, Bec Allen, Sami Whitcomb, Steph Talbot and Kristy Wallace.
OPALS | The 12-man Australian team for a home World Cup in Sydney has been named π¦πΊπππ
πΈ @adekponya_#AussieHoops #GoOpals #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/U1vTCHpPDZβ The Pick and Roll π¦πΊπ (@PickandRollAU) August 9, 2022
They are joined by Hungary-based player Darcee Garbin and a host of local talent including Tess Madgen, Sara Blicavs, Anneli Maley, Cayla George and Marianna Tolo.
The Opals will be desperate to recover from a terrible 12 month that included a disappointing campaign for the Tokyo Olympics, which also coincided with the Liz Cambage saga.
That said, Opals coach Sandy Brondello is more than confident that the chosen team has what it takes to go all the way, especially given the added motivation of going for gold on home soil.
“It’s always difficult to make the final cut to 12 when so many great athletes are pushing for selection,” Brondello said.
βThe training camp in New York showed how much each of these athletes wanted to compete on home soil, the fight for a spot on the team was tough.
“Of course, including Lauren is the talking point, but from my perspective, she put in the work and deserves to be here. She will add another dimension to our team dynamic.β
The Opals’ World Cup campaign begins on September 22 with the opening of their account against France at the Sydney Superdome.