SYDNEY (AP) — As expected, Lauren Jackson has been included in her fifth FIBA World Cup roster for Australia in her comeback to international basketball.
Not so expected were the tears when 41-year-old Jackson was officially informed of her place in the 12-man team by head coach Sandy Brondello. It came 10 months after a comeback to the sport and as a mother of two boys.
“There was a lot of emotion when Sandy called me, I cried a bit to be honest,” Jackson said Wednesday. “I’ve been working hard on my body and honestly I didn’t know if it would hold up to my intense training regimen, but it did and I feel good.”
Bec Allen and Cayla George will return for their third World Championship appearance, Marianna Tolo, Steph Talbot, Sami Whitcomb, Tess Madgen and Ezi Magbegor will return for their second and Sara Blicavs, Darcee Garbin, Anneli Maley and Kristy Wallace will make their debuts.
The team is packed with international experience, with Allen (New York Liberty), Magbegor (Seattle Storm), Whitcomb (New York Liberty), Wallace (Atlanta Dream) and Talbot (Seattle) all currently playing in the WNBA.
The Opals look to continue their stellar World Cup performances to date, having won silver in 2018, bronze in 2014 and gold in 2006.
The third placed Opals were drawn into Group C, with group matches against France, Serbia, Japan, Mali and Canada in the tournament scheduled for September 22-October. 1 in Sydney.
Brondello will lead the Opals as head coach for the second time after leading the team to silver in 2018. She said she faces some difficult selection decisions.
“It’s always difficult to make the final cut to 12 when so many great athletes are pushing for selection,” Brondello said. “The training camp in New York showed how much each of these athletes wanted to compete on home soil, the fight for a spot on the team was tough.”
“Obviously the inclusion of Lauren is the talking point, but from my perspective, she put in the work and deserves to be here. She will add another dimension to our team dynamic.”
Jackson, a four-time WNBA MVP, said she’s stronger than she was when she played for Seattle and helped The Storm win two championships. She also won championship titles in Australia, Spain and Russia, as well as three Olympic silver medals and one bronze medal.
She retired from playing in 2016 after knee injuries derailed her career. She had hoped to compete in the Olympics that year, but an ACL injury ended that dream. She retired from the WNBA in 2012 and walked away as one of the best players in league history.
Jackson had no intention of playing competitively again after partially replacing her right knee and dealing with the cruciate ligament rupture that was followed by a staph infection.
“I get so emotional talking about it,” Jackson told The Associated Press during training camp in New York. “I never thought I would represent Australia again.”
On Wednesday, Jackson said she feels “at home” with the current team.
“The age difference disappears as soon as I step onto the court,” Jackson said. “I believe in this team and what we can achieve. If I can help get us onto the podium then the hard work will be worth it.”
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Australia Team: Bec Allen, Sara Blicavs, Darcee Garbin, Cayla George, Lauren Jackson, Ezi Magbegor, Tess Madgen, Anneli Maley, Steph Talbot, Marianna Tolo, Kristy Wallace, Sami Whitcomb.
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