Jackson opens door to joining Opals in Paris

MELBOURNE (Australia) - Opals' legend Lauren Jackson is still open to stepping out at Paris 2024 for what would be a fabulous fifth Olympic appearance.

Australia's most prominent baller shocked her teammates by revealing she was retiring from national team duties for the third time in her career when the curtain came down on a successful FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 last month.

A proud and loving mother, Jackson understandably struggled spending time away from her two young children Harry (7) and Lenny (5) while at the competition in Belem, Brazil and that was the reason behind her decision to step away from the Olympic path, she told The Age.

But it has since emerged that if a solution can be found to have her family with her on French soil, then she could be persuaded to step back into the Opals' fold.

It won't only be Australian basketball supporters who will be eager for something to get worked out since Jackson is an iconic sporting figure in her homeland, as well as a women's basketball great - meaning fans all around the world would love to see her suiting back up in the gold and green.

Her value was, of course, also demonstrated at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 when she famously helped complete a fairytale with a bronze medal on her return to the team. 

And, despite having to work through her anxiety in Brazil, she used her quality and experience to post a very nice cameo in the win against Germany.

Last week, she had an amazing game with the Southside Flyers. 38 points and 11 rebounds in 33 minutes.

This is just the kind of leadership role and contribution the Opals would love to continue benefiting from at Paris 2024. 

FIBA