No one would blame Lauren Jackson if she acted with a certain sense of entitlement.
She was officially announced as a member of the Australian Opals team for the Paris Games in 2024. This will be her fifth Olympic Games, 12 years since her last appearance. For an athlete with such an impressive track record, the aura around her was very humble and respectful.
When I remind her of her age, she retorts with respectful sarcasm: “I’m 43.”
Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player Australia has ever produced, Jackson left her resume at the door and entered training camp accepting a different role. She’d been such a star player on the women’s national team for so long that, historically, she’d practically never had to audition for a position. She was going to be on every team that put her hand up.
This time was different. With no certainty of even being selected, the work required had to be more rigorous and deliberate. So it’s no wonder that it was cathartic for a “relieved” Jackson to speak of the team’s official announcement by the Australian Olympic Committee.
Paris 2024 will be her fifth Olympic Games, 12 years after her last one. For an athlete with such a track record, the aura around her is one of extreme humility and respect. Morgan Hancock/Getty Images
“The last time I did this, I was the star and I didn’t have to worry about whether I was going to be picked or not,” Jackson said.
“It’s been a very different experience for me. I’m not a role player anymore. So for me, I had to work harder than anything to get selected and to do my best. It’s very unusual to be in this situation, but again, I’m really proud of myself for actually committing to the process and working so hard… The girls have been so amazing throughout this journey. They’ve made it worth it. It’s very special. I’m so proud to be here with them.”
The Opals completed a rigorous training camp last week, culminating in dominating wins over China in two exhibition games in Melbourne. The team faced the unique challenge of a selection camp without its most talented players. Seven WNBA players currently playing in the United States were unable to attend and were selected for the final Olympic team, meaning the Melbourne players were essentially competing for five open spots.
“In terms of pressure, the last week and a half has probably been the toughest I’ve ever experienced as a professional athlete,” Jackson said.
“Knowing that it was a very important selection camp, the girls knew that players were going to be dropped and I realised that too.
“The girls that came to camp really tried their best and gave everything to be a part of this team. I’m really honored and grateful to have the opportunity to be here today. For me, my preparation remains the same. Next week is the exact same, and the next two or three weeks after that are the same. I just have to keep working hard. I’m a little relieved, but I’m also very grateful and humbled to be here.”
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Jackson’s career rivals and perhaps surpasses that of any Australian sportsperson in Australian history. She was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 WNBA Draft and has since won two WNBA championships, three MVPs and a Finals MVP, a career that places her among the sporting greats. She did it locally, winning seven WNBL championships, including the 2024 title with Southside Flyers, four WNBL MVPs and four WNBL Finals MVPs.
Albury-born Jackson’s playing career ended ahead of the 2016 Olympics due to degenerative knee disease but she made an astonishing comeback from retirement just a few years later, aged 40, to play at a high level in the WNBL and for the Opals in the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
Jackson retired again after scoring 30 points and recording seven rebounds in the bronze medal game in Sydney, but after Basketball Australia agreed to sponsor her two young children in Europe (Jackson said they were both headed to Paris), she came out of retirement again and, having recently overcome a ruptured Achilles and Lisfranc fracture, is back on the radar to join the Opals.
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As a member of the national team, Jackson spearheaded her team to four Olympic silver medals, one bronze medal and most notably, a gold medal at the FIBA Women’s World Championship in 2006. The veteran big man is confident the Opals can enjoy considerable success this time around.
“Anything is possible, right?” Jackson said.
“When you look at how we play as a team and how the girls in the WNBA are playing right now, I think anything is possible. We have a great team, we have 12 players, anything is possible. I wouldn’t want to bring home anything but a medal, and we’re definitely going for the gold medal.”
In addition to Jackson, Opals for Paris features Kayla George, Marianna Toro, Tess Majen, Rebecca Allen, Eji Magbegor, Alana Smith, Steph Talbot, Christy Wallace, Sami Whitcomb, Jade Melbourne and Isobel Bolas.
With this culture change and the talent of the WNBA’s roster, Jackson is confident the Opals are on a sound footing heading to Paris. Kelly Defina/Getty Images
Jackson praised team captain Majen’s leadership in helping the team bounce back after the dramatic Tokyo 2021 Games, which saw an alleged physical collision with Liz Cambage during a warm-up match.
This culture change, combined with the talent of the WNBA’s roster, has Jackson extremely confident the Opals are on a sound footing heading into Paris.
“There’s a real effort going on to make sure everyone has a voice and everyone’s voice is heard,” Jackson said.
“I’ve never been on a team that cares so much about each other. I think it’s a product of hard work. It’s like any relationship, you have to really put in the work. It’s paying off because you can see us playing together, even when we were down to 12 against China. People could see how well we come together and work together. It’s a testament to what we’ve been doing behind the scenes.”
