Incredible moment Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson learns she’s making Opals comeback

Aussie basketball legend Lauren Jackson became overwhelmed with emotion when she learned her astonishing comeback nine years after last representing her country has been rewarded with selection in the Opals’ World Cup squad.

In a nice twist of fate, Opals coach Sandy Brondello – a former Australian teammate of Jackson’s – was the one to deliver the news in a heartwarming video released by Basketball Australia.

At 41 years young, Jackson was lured out of international retirement in June ahead of September’s World Cup here in Australia.

Incredibly, Jackson made her international debut 25 years ago, with her last appearance prior to her retirement coming in 2013. She last played in a FIBA World Cup in 2010.

Lauren Jackson, pictured playing for Australia in 2013, has been selected in the Opals squad for the World Cup later this year

‘Congratulations, Lauren Jackson, you are going to another World Cup,’ a smiling Brondello said.

‘No!’ exclaimed Jackson in delight, putting her head in her hands as she is overcome with emotion at the news. 

Brondello made it clear that this was no sentimental selection, but an honour one of Australia’s greatest ever female basketballers had earned fair and square. 

Lauren Jackson was courtside at a Seattle Storm WNBA game on August 3, and was given a standing ovation by the crowd

‘You should be incredibly proud, Lauren, and I’m incredibly proud; because what you did to achieve this it really is amazing. It shows a lot about you as a person,’ Brondello said.

‘You’ve earned this so much with what you’ve done on court. We didn’t know what was possible … I never doubted you, but it was just whether your body could hold up – and it has.’ 

Fighting back tears, Jackson admitted she ‘didn’t know what to say’.

Lauren Jackson (left) was overcome with emotional after being told by Opals coach Sandy Brondello (right) she was selected in Australia’s World Cup squad

Jackson admitted she had a cry when Brondello told her of her selection.

‘There were a lot of emotions when Sandy rang me, I had a bit of a cry to be honest,’ Jackson said.

‘I have been working my body hard, and I didn’t honestly know if it was going to hold up to my intense training regime, but it has and I’m feeling good.’

Lauren Jackson (left), pictured playing at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, made her debut for Australia 25 years ago

Brondello, herself a four-time World Cup athlete, said Jackson deserved her spot.

‘Making the final cut to twelve is always difficult with so many great athletes pushing for selection,’ she said.

‘The training camp in New York demonstrated how much each of these athletes wanted to compete on home soil, the competition for a spot on the team was fierce.’

‘Of course, the inclusion of Lauren is the talking point but from my perspective, she has put in the work and deserves to be here, she will add another dimension to our team dynamic,’ said Brondello.

After a remarkable comeback, Aussie basketball legend Lauren Jackson has been picked in the World Cup squad 

Talking at the side’s training camp in New York in July, Jackson was already welling up thinking about the prospect of representing her country once more.

‘I get so emotional talking about this. I never thought I´d represent Australia again,’ she said. 

Jackson, a four-time WNBA MVP, won titles in the US, Australia, Spain and Russia, as well as three Olympic silver medals and one bronze.

She retired from playing in 2016 after knee injuries derailed her career, and in a press conference at the time said basketball was ‘the love of her life’.  

Lauren Jackson runs onto the court to play for the Opals in 2013

The Aussie legend had no intentions of playing again competitively after having a partial replacement of her right knee and dealing with an ACL tear that was followed by a staph infection.

But a successful comeback playing NBL1 for her home town of Albury clearly reignited the passion within. 

On the back of a rigorous fitness regime she was in outstanding form, averaging 32.6 points and 11.6 rebounds. 

Jackson has been open about the role medical marijuana has played in her comeback, that seemed almost impossible given the sheer amount and severity of her injuries. 

Lauren Jackson (centre) playing for WNBA side Seattle Storm, where she won two titles and was named MVP of the league on four occasions 

She’s on the sports advisory board of pharmaceutical company Levin Health alongside AFL greats Damien Hardwick and Alastair Clarkson, as well as champion jockey Damien Oliver. 

‘I retired from basketball, had a lot of issues, especially with chronic pain in my knees and hips. I went to a GP and was basically prescribed medicinal cannabis to help me with that,’ she told 7News in December last year.

‘It’s definitely helping me, it’s been fantastic actually to the point I’m able to train and get back out on the court a little bit. It’s been incredible just for my recovery.’ 

The Opals, who are ranked number three in the world, are aiming to add to their past stellar World Cup performances, having won silver in 2018 and bronze in 2014.

Lauren Jackson (right) playing for Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where the team won a silver medal

Australia’s only World Title came in 2006 – a tournament Jackson captained in.

They’ve drawn Group C, with pool matches against France, Serbia, Japan, Mali and Canada, with the Sydney-based tournament to begin on September 22. 

Underlining the experience in the squad, Bec Allen and Cayla George will return for their third tournament and Marianna Tolo, Steph Talbot, Sami Whitcomb, Tess Madgen and Ezi Magbegor are playing in their second World Cup.

Sara Blicavs, Darcee Garbin, Anneli Maley and Kristy Wallace will make their debut.

There are five current WNBA players including Allen (New York Liberty), Magbegor (Seattle), Whitcomb (New York), Wallace (Atlanta Dream) and Talbot (Seattle).