Lauren Jackson retires from international basketball after Opals book ticket to Paris

The legendary Lauren Jackson helped the Opals qualify for a tenth Olympic campaign, but will not be there when the Opals play for it all in Paris later this year.

The legendary Lauren Jackson helped the Opals qualify for a tenth Olympic campaign before announcing she won’t play at this year’s Paris Games, bringing down the curtain on one of the greatest international careers in hoops history.

A trademark stint from Jackson played a pivotal role in Australia’s dominant 85-52 Olympic qualifying victory over Germany on Sunday.

The Opals great was the oldest player on the court at 42, but you wouldn’t have known as she went to work to send her country to yet another Olympics.

Jackson finished with nine points, three rebounds and three assists, as all signs pointed to a fifth Olympic campaign for the GOAT of Aussie hoops.

Just when Basketball Australia officials started planning tickets for Paris, the girl from Albury dropped a major post-game surprise, revealing she won’t be playing at this year’s Games.

“I’m done … I love Brazil, Brazil has been very good to me,” Jackson said.

“How fitting that I get to finish my national career with Australia in Brazil. It’s very special.”

Lauren Jackson won’t be going to Paris. (Photo by JEREMY NG / AFP)

Jackson’s declaration sent shockwaves through the basketball fraternity, given many expected her to play in Paris to finish off her stellar career.

Instead, it’s believed she has opted to put family first, with her son starting school this year, among other commitments.

Jackson walks away from the international scene as a four-time Olympian, winning four medals in the process, including three straight silver medals.

She started out as a teenager at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and went on to become one of the best ever to don the green and gold – in both women and men’s competition.

Jackson was also part of the 2006 World Cup winning side – the only Opals or Boomers team to win a gold medal at a major tournament.

18 months ago, Jackson made a stunning comeback at the 2022 World Cup in Sydney, playing a vital role off the bench to help the Australians win a bronze medal.

The Australian great star also thanked the Opals supporters post-game in an emotional address.

“Thank you to all the Opals fans over the years,” she said.

“The girls are going to be incredible at the Olympics, I’m just so proud of them and I’m privileged to be here.”

Earlier, a Tess Magden shooting masterclass and the rise of rookie Isobel Borlase helped the Opals beat Germany to punch their ticket to this year’s Paris Olympics.

The Australians showcased their class to comfortably dispose of the understrength Germans, with three players scoring in double figures in a dominant victory.

Magden was magnificent, dropping a game-high 15 points, including a perfect three of three from beyond the arc.

The Opals skipper set the stone with her pinpoint shooting and dogged defence, while she also had six rebounds and three assists.

Australia also showed us a glimpse of the future via a cast of young players who look built to don the green and gold.

The sight of veterans like Magden, Jackson and Cayla George on the same court as emerging stars Borlase, Jade Melbourne and Steph Reid was a defining generational moment for the Opals.

The Opals are on their way to Paris. Picture: FIBA

Debutant Borlase is only 19, but she looked comfortable on the international stage, finishing with 10 points.

The Adelaide Lightning guard, who led the Under 19s Gems to a silver medal at last year’s World Cup, is destined to have a long career for Australia.

The same can be said for Melbourne. The 21-year-old Canberra Capitals and Seattle Storm guard also contributed six vital points for the Opals.

Australia face Serbia in its final qualifying game on Monday from 10am (AEDT), but their place at the Paris Games is booked in.

It continues a rich history of excellence for an Opals program that’s set a precedent for Olympic success.

The Australian women have collected three silver and two bronze medals – and there is no reason why they can’t compete for another podium appearance in Paris.

Germany suffered a major blow before tip-off, with the Sabally sisters ruled out through injury.

Satou (shoulder) and Nyara (knee) Sabally combined for 32 points in an upset win over Serbia, so their absence hit the Germans hard.

Australia took advantage in the opening minutes, surging to a 6-0 advantage, forcing Germany to call a time-out.

The Opals dominated without the ball, locking down the paint with their trademark defence.

Jackson entered the game midway through the first quarter and nailed a three with her first touch.

The Australians looked unstoppable at both ends to open up a 19-point lead in the second quarter.

Madgen starred for the Opals on the offensive end, confidently dropping threes to put her side in a commanding position at the halftime break leading by 30 points.

The Opals maintained the momentum in the second half to fend off the Germans and charge to a comfortable win.

Originally published as Lauren Jackson retires from international basketball after Opals book ticket to Paris