Legendary Lauren Jackson crowns comeback with Opals selection for Paris Olympics

The Opals have locked in a 12-strong squad for Paris that is full of WNBA talent, while 43-year-old icon Lauren Jackson has been called up for her fifth Olympic Games.

Lauren Jackson’s comeback looks set to culminate with Olympic selection. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Lauren Jackson has added yet another legendary moment to her legacy as one of the greatest athletes ever to represent Australia, set to don the green and gold in Paris for a record fifth Olympic appearance.

CODE Sports revealed the Opals’ squad on Saturday, headlined by the selection of Jackson at age 43. The Australian Olympic Committee confirmed the news on Sunday.

Jackson will become the oldest player to wear an Opals’ jersey at an Olympics — and she’ll be joined by boom teenager Isobel Borlase who, at 19, wasn’t even born when the basketball icon helped Australia to silver in Sydney, 2000.

There are few surprises in the squad that will chase redemption for their quarter-final exit in Tokyo, with all seven WNBA players — Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith, Sami Whitcomb, Steph Talbot, Bec Allen, Jade Melbourne and Kristy Wallace — included.

Veteran talls Marianna Tolo and Cayla George have been named in the team, as has versatile veteran guard Tess Madgen.

WNBL stars Maddi Rocci, Alice Kunek, Darcee Garbin and Steph Reid have not been named.

It's go time for the Australian Opals who will be joined in France by their WNBA players very soon for #Paris2024! 💚💛#AllezAUS | @BasketballAuspic.twitter.com/oRsqyU8ISW

— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 6, 2024

Opals captain Tess Madgen has drawn on the sustained success of the women’s program to inspire the team going to Paris.

“I can’t believe I’m talking about going to my second Olympics, it feels very surreal,” she said.

“I’m beyond honoured and excited to represent Australia, everyone who knows me will tell you that it brings me to tears, every time.

“We have the absolute best team of athletes, we are much more than a team, we are a sisterhood and we carry with us all the Opals from the past and we draw on their strength.

“Every time I put on the green and gold it gives me goosebumps, it’s hard to really put into words what it means. We are all so grateful to be here and make no mistake we are very hungry so bring on Paris.”

Prior to selection, Madgen said Jackson was in better shape than at the 2022 World Cup, where the Opals won bronze, despite having endured dual surgeries to repair a fractured foot and ruptured Achilles, less than 17 months ago.

“She’s way fitter than she was at the World Cup and she just keeps really getting better,” Madgen said of Jackson, who led Southside to this year’s WNBL title.

“She’s a lot better on the defensive end as well, so she’s able to stay out there for a long period of time.

“She will have a very big impact for us.”

Teenager Isobel Borlase will join Jackson in the squad. Picture: William WEST / AFP

Cheryl Chambers, who coached the Opals in Melbourne and will assist Brondello at the Olympics, said the Adelaide Lightning forward had caught the eye of non-traditional basketball fans, after they saw her pour in 19 points against China on Wednesday night.

“(Tuesday) night, my phone’s going off … people in the crowd haven’t seen her play before — ‘Who is this girl’ sort of thing because she’s new to the WNBL.

“She has an uncanny ability to slow the game down and slow people around her down.

“I don’t want to give her a target and say she’s like someone else. I think she’s like Izzy.

“She’s not overawed by the moment. I’m sure she’s nervous, don’t get me wrong, but she’s quite a level head.”

Tough tall Tolo said Borlase possessed composure that belied her tender years.

“It’s so cool to watch Izzy and how she plays and that she doesn’t take a step back,” Tolo said.

“She’s right there and she’s challenging all of us, even with her youth, and credit to her.

“The way that she can stay so calm, (with) the ability for her to score and finish and get those nice passes is really cool and I really enjoyed that connection.”

Speaking with CODE after Friday night’s win over China in Melbourne — hours before she would learn her Olympic fate — Borlase paid tribute to Jackson and was cautiously optimistic of her own chances.

“Lauren’s got worlds of wisdom, she’s played almost everywhere in the world and you can ask her questions and just getting to learn from her is incredible,” she said.

“Any athlete of any age, when you’re in a squad, you want to compete to make that team.

“I feel like I’m right there and I want to make that team.”

Originally published as Legendary Lauren Jackson crowns comeback with Opals selection for Paris Olympics