Lauren Jackson thinks she’s no longer the star, but try telling that to her Australian Olympic teammates as she prepares for her fifth Games, 12 years after her last.
The basketball Hall of Famer was confirmed Sunday on Australia’s team for this month’s Paris Games and will join current Boomers Joe Ingles and Patty Mills alongside Andrew Gaze as the country’s only five-time basketball Olympians.
But Jackson, a four-time medalist and three-time WNBA MVP, has played seven Games, and the 43-year-old retired because of crippling knee pain before the 2016 Olympics.
She turned to basketball administration before the use of medicinal cannabis helped fuel a tentative comeback in 2022 that culminated in World Cup bronze.
Jackson announced a second international retirement after that before a torn Achilles tendon and serious foot injury last year seemingly brought the curtain down on an incredible career.
But the mother of two has risen again and, after successful negotiations to have her family in France, will be a centrepiece of the world No. 3 team’s quest to dethrone four-time defending champions the United States.
Olympic track cycling champion Anna Meares is Australia’s chef de mission in Paris and said Jackson’s presence will be felt beyond the basketball court.
“I’m retired and I’m paying a price physically and I’m 40 years old,” the four-time Olympian told AAP.
Basketball legend Lauren Jackson has made history after being selected for her fifth Olympic Games
The four-time WNBA medalist and three-time MVP retired in 2016 due to injury.
“The juggling act is real, the challenge is real. As a mother of two young children, I can appreciate and respect that immensely.
“He’s an inspiration. It’s a real joy that he’s still here. These are the kind of athletes we miss a lot when we leave.”
Australia’s 2012 flag bearer said she had never faced as much pressure as she has over the past two weeks.
“The last time I did this I was the star, so I didn’t have to worry about being selected,” she said.
‘I’m not anymore; I’m the lead actor and I had to work to make sure I was cast.
‘I’m very proud of myself.’
The Opals’ Tokyo campaign was derailed when Elizabeth Cambage, a towering centre like Jackson, left camp acrimoniously on the eve of the Games.
Jackson returned to the fray the following year with the show’s culture still firmly in the spotlight.
Jackson’s teammates said she was an inspiration to have on the Opals’ team.
“There’s been a real shift toward needing to ensure we have great people involved,” he said.
‘There is a real effort to ensure that everyone has a voice.
“We have worked hard to make this a reality, but it is bearing fruit… and everything is possible.”
Boomers veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova will suit up for his fourth Games, with the 33-year-old working his way back into contention after being cut by coach Brian Goorjian for last year’s World Cup.
Dellavedova was used sparingly as Australia beat Slovenia to win bronze at the Tokyo Games; instead, elite NBA defender Matisse Thybulle helped contain star Luka Doncic to win a historic medal.
But the coach will choose Dellavedova and not Thybulle (27), where he will face a group with talent-packed Canada and potentially Spain and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greece in Lille.
Two-time Olympian Chris Goulding was also cut despite his strong form in recent Test games, as was Xavier Cooks despite being among the Boomers’ best at the World Cup.
Australia’s Gangurrus will play all of the teams in the eight-member women’s 3×3 tournament after earning a historic first-place finish.
AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC BASKETBALL TEAMS
Opals: Rebecca Allen, Kristy Wallace, Marianna Tolo, Sami Whitcomb, Stephanie Talbot, Jade Melbourne, Ezi Magbegor, Cayla George, Alanna Smith, Isobel Borlase, Lauren Jackson, Tess Madgen.
Boomers: Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Josh Green, Patty Mills, Dante Exum, Jock Landale, Duop Reath, Joe Ingles, Jack McVeigh, Will Magnay, Matthew Dellavedova and Nicholas Kay.
Gangurrus (3×3 women): Anneli Maley, Lauren Mansfield, Alex Wilson, Marena Whittle.