Australia's basketball community is buzzing with excitement as rumors swirl about the potential return of retired women's basketball superstar Lauren Jackson. At 42, Jackson, a three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player, may don the yellow and green once again for the Opals at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Having retired twice from the national team, Jackson's inclusion in Australia's 26-player squad, announced on Wednesday, has sparked hope among fans and analysts alike. ESPN reports that she is considered by many to be among the final 12 players who could represent the Opals on the Olympic stage.
Jackson's illustrious career with the Opals includes appearances in four Olympic Games, beginning with the 2000 Sydney Olympics where Australia clinched a silver medal. She continued to help the team secure silver medals in 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing, and a bronze in the 2012 London Olympics. Her absence was felt in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, where knee injuries led to her first retirement.
Jackson made a triumphant return to the Opals during the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup held in Australia, where she played a pivotal role in securing the third-place finish. Her standout performance, including a 30-point game against Canada in the bronze medal match, underscored her enduring talent and leadership on the court.
If Lauren Jackson joins the Opals for Paris 2024, it would not only mark a remarkable comeback for the veteran athlete but also inject invaluable experience and skill into the team. Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting confirmation, hopeful that Jackson will once again bathe the courts with her exceptional play, inspiring a new generation of basketball talent.
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Australia's retired women's basketball ace Lauren Jackson may return
cgtn.com
