Lauren Jackson selected for the Opals squad

Australia’s greatest basketballer and NBL1 East star Lauren Jackson has been added to the Australian Opals World Cup squad. 

Jackson will participate in a national team camp in Canberra next week, 25 years after she was first picked for the Australian team.

Exclusive
41-year-old @laurenej15 has been added to the Opals squad for September’s #FIBAWWC.
It’s 25 years since she made the national squad for the first time.

https://t.co/ROBIOxgJbQ pic.twitter.com/uX5Z7EUFHN

— Megan Hustwaite (@MeganHustwaite) June 21, 2022

The four-time Olympic medallist and 2006 World champion, who last played for Australia in 2013, returned to the court for Albury Wodonga in NBL1 East this season and the 41-year-old has been a superstar. 

This season she is averaging 32.6 points per game and 11.6 rebounds per game while leading Albury to second on the NBL1 East ladder. 

Lauren Jackson is BACK ?

2?1? points
5? rebounds
5? triples
+2?4?#NBL1East @laurenej15 pic.twitter.com/tkkMfMa7I4

— NBL1 (@NBL1) April 23, 2022

In an interview with Megan Hustwaite via News Corp, Jackson says it’s a blessing to be an Opal once again. 

“I never expected to get to this point so every day I get past here is a blessing and I truly feel like one of the luckiest people in the world to be getting another shot after the way my career ended,” Jackson said.

“There’s a little bit of apprehension. I’m definitely a little bit scared and excited but who knows what will happen with my body.”

Jackson suited in February to make her basketball comeback with Albury, in the stadium named after her. 

Jackson was given the news via Zoom by Opals coach and former Olympic teammate Sandy Brondello. 

“It kind of feels like I’m a kid again vying for a position. When I found out I made it into the squad I had a moment of shock,” she said.

“It’s reality now and getting into the mind frame again of competing to wear the green and gold again.”

Jackson and the Opals start camp on Monday. 

Feature image via Paul Barkley | LookPro Photography