Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson has confirmed she won’t be a part of the Opals in Paris this yr, formally saying her retirement from worldwide basketball.
The 42-year-old made the announcement following Australia’s 85-52 victory over Germany in Belem on Sunday AEDT, which ensured the Opals certified for the upcoming Olympic Video games in France.
“I’m carried out … I really like Brazil, Brazil has been excellent to me,” Jackson stated after the win.
“How becoming that I get to complete my nationwide profession with Australia in Brazil. It’s very particular.”
Jackson, arguably Australia’s biggest basketballer, was a member of the Opals squad through the triumphant 2006 World Cup marketing campaign in Brazil, additionally profitable 4 Olympic medals all through her illustrious profession.
She initially retired from the Opals in 2016 earlier than making a shocking comeback forward of the 2022 World Cup in Australia.
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Early final yr, a torn Achilles threatened to finish Jackson’s profession, however the New South Wales product returned forward of the continued FIBA qualifiers event in Brazil, chosen in a 20-player squad for the essential event.
Jackson scored 9 factors after coming off the bench within the first quarter of Sunday’s victory over Germany, serving to the Opals qualify for the Olympics for a tenth time.
“After I say this has been a privilege, I imply it,” Jackson later wrote on Instagram.
“I really like these women a lot.”
Australia’s remaining match of the qualifying event shall be towards Serbia on Monday morning.