Legend Lauren Jackson headlines a potent Opals 26-player squad for the Paris Olympics

Lauren Jackson expressed concerns she may not play at the Paris Games, but a big Basketball Australia decision could hugely affect her dream of a fifth Olympics. Find out more inside.

Lauren Jackson remains on track for a fifth Olympic campaign at this year’s Paris Games after being named in a 26-player Opals squad featuring a potent mix of youth and experience.

And Code Sports can reveal Basketball Australia had always planned to approve travel and a carer for Jackson’s sons.

The CBA states that children of athletes under the age of five will have travel paid for, and while Jackson’s sons fall outside this criteria, BA are happy to accommodate her family requirements.

It comes as the legendary centre publicly expressed concerns that she may not play at the Games due to her commitments on the home front as a single mother.

Jackson’s two sons – Harry and Lennon – weren’t able to travel to last month’s Olympic qualifying tournament in Brazil amid safety concerns.

Lauren Jackson celebratse winning the WNBL Championship. Picture: Getty Images.

However, BA officials will financially support her boys to travel to Paris.

Jackson has wrestled with the decision to play at the Olympics, but her stunning form in the WNBL finals, including four straight 20-point outings, punctuated by a 38-point classic, encouraged both she and national selectors to pursue Paris.

The FIBA Hall of Famer has a heavy schedule of commitments with She Hoops, NBL1 and her children and has previously said she does not want to leave her ageing parents to care for two boys for what could be weeks or months.

Jackson, who turns 43 in May, headlines a squad that includes 14 combined Olympic appearances and 11 members of the bronze medal winning side from the 2022 World Cup.

Opals selectors have also heard the loud cries for NCAA college basketball superstar Georgia Amoore to be brought into the fold.

The Victorian-born 22-year-old has lit it up for Virginia Tech and is eligible to be selected in April’s WNBA draft.

Amoore will bid for an Opals Olympic singlet alongside fellow young guns Jade Melbourne and Isobel Borlase, who helped the Opals qualify for Paris at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in February.

Georgia Amoore is set to be brought into the Opals fold. Picture: Getty Images.

Amy Atwell’s light’s out WNBL season, where she finished second in scoring and No.1 in three-point makes in leading Perth to the grand final, shot her back into a squad many thought she should have been part of during the qualifying campaign in Brazil.

The squad also includes 17 players who competed in the 2023-24 WNBL season and a strong contingent of athletes currently playing in Europe, including Tokyo Olympians Marianna Tolo and Ezi Magbegor.

WNBL defensive player of the year Lauren Nicholson, breakout player Alex Sharp and hard-nosed Melbourne Boomers captain Keely Froling are also among the new additions, while giant Lauren Scherf (France) and Chloe Bibby (Poland) have been rewarded for their efforts in Europe.

Bibby was this month crowned Polish League MVP.

Lauren Jackson celebrates with team mates after a third-placed play-off against Canada during the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup - which was then her final Opals game. Picture: Getty Images

Tokyo Olympian Sara Blicavs hasn’t been named after undergoing back surgery this week.

Australia is grouped in Pool B alongside host nation France, Canada and Nigeria.

Opals coach Sandy Brondello expects the competition for the final 12-player roster for the Paris Games to be intense.

“It’s always an exciting time to announce an Olympic squad and I congratulate all the athletes. They all know what it means to play for Australia, and they all want the opportunity to represent their country at an Olympics,” Brondello said.

“Our squad is full of exceptional talent, and they will make the decision to pick a final 12 very difficult. We have Canada, Nigeria and France in our pool, so we are focused on that and what is required to get onto the podium.”

The 26-player squad will participate in training camps, tours and fixtures both domestically and internationally against other Olympic-bound countries in the lead up to the Games which begin on July 26.

The final-12 player team for Paris will be chosen from the extended squad.

Originally published as Legend Lauren Jackson headlines a potent Opals 26-player squad for the Paris Olympics