Opals Shyla Heal and Ezi Magbegor endorse Lauren Jackson’s bold comeback bid

Rising Opals Shyla Heal and Ezi Magbegor have opened up on the possibility of playing alongside childhood idol Lauren Jackson at the World Cup on home soil.

The future of the Opals – Ezi Magbegor and Shyla Heal – have endorsed Lauren Jackson’s bold comeback bid to fill the void left by Liz Cambage.

Magbegor and Heal have been named ambassadors for this year’s FIBA Women’s World Cup in Sydney from September 22 to October 1.

The duo want help the Opals avenge their disappointing quarter-final exit at last year’s Tokyo Olympics with a strong showing at the World Cup on home soil.

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Could we see Lauren Jackson play for the Opals at this year’s World Cup in Sydney. Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE / Getty Images / AFP.

Magbegor and Heal are also buzzing about the prospect of the greatest Opal in Jackson considering a return to the court via the NBL1 with Albury and potentially a stint for Australia at the World Cup in Sydney.

Heal says she would relish the chance to play alongside one of her childhood idols.

“I hope Lauren does make a comeback because it would be awesome to learn from her and experience that,” Heal said.

“I mean, she Lauren is just the GOAT of women’s basketball in Australia.

“If she makes a comeback, little or big, for us younger ones coming through we didn’t get to play with her, but now we might have an opportunity to and that is cool.”

Magbegor is equally excited about potentially playing with Jackson in the green and gold should the legendary icon choose to do so.

“I think Lauren has earnt that right to come back whenever she wants,” Magbegor said.

“It is just buzz at the moment, but she is one of the best basketball players that has come out of Australia, so she is always going to be part of basketball, no matter how she does it.

“If she does decide to make a return at some point, I think that is exciting for the whole of Australia.”

Opals stars Shyla Heal and Ezi Magbegor have been named ambassadors for this year's FIBA Women's World Cup in Sydney.

Heal, 20, is at the opposite end of the career ladder compared to 40-year-old Jackson.

The Sydney Flames guard describes the responsibility of being an ambassador for a home World Cup as “special”.

Heal is particularly motivated to use her actions on and off the court to inspire the next generation of budding ballers in Australia.

“When I first heard about the ambassador role the first thing that came to mind was inspiring the younger girls,” she said.

“They will get a chance to watch us play first-hand here in our own country and it’s amazing.

“I think a lot of young girls can take a lot from this World Cup seeing some of the best basketballers in the world. It’s inspiring.”

The Opals’ preparations for this year’s World Cup will ramp up with a training camp in Sydney from January 31 to February 4.

The side then travels to Serbia for a qualifying tournament between February 10 and-13.

The Australians have already qualified for the home Cup, but will receive vital game practice in clashes against Korea, Serbia, and Brazil.

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— FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) January 30, 2022

Magbegor believes the Opals are strongly placed to perform, especially with a host of gifted stars in the squad like Heal, Adelaide Lightning’s Alanna Smith and in-form Townsville Fire guard Lauren Nicholson.

“It’s exciting with all the talent coming through,” she said.

“One thing about the Opals squad is that it has a lot of talent, which also includes the extended squad as well.

“That always makes it a competitive camp and we just want to go one step better than the 2018 World Cup in Spain (when he finished second).”

OPALS GOAT CONFIRMS COMEBACK WITH HOMETOWN CLUB

Australia’s greatest ever basketballer is returning to the court.

Lauren Jackson will emerge from retirement to play for her hometown team Albury-Wodonga Bandits in NBL1 this season, in the stadium named after her and in front of children, Harry, 5, and Lenny, 3.

The 40-year-old has left the door ajar for what would be a spectacular comeback for the Opals when Australia hosts the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Sydney in September.

“When I played in America and Europe, overseas living the dream, there were times when I just wished I played for Albury at home so it’s a bit of a dream come true,” she said.

“I haven’t really played for eight years and I haven’t played a game yet so I’ve got no idea what to expect. After a couple of months of playing NBL1, who knows how I’m going to feel, what I’m going to be doing or how I’ll be playing, it’s a complete unknown.

“I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing at the moment because it seems to be working and we’ll see wherever it takes me, who knows? I’m not closing the door on anything.

“My kids are my life and a huge motivation for me. As much as I’m doing it for them, I’m doing it for myself, I’d love to get back on the court and shoot some hoops.”

Lauren Jackson will return to basketball with her hometown team, Albury-Wodonga Bandits, in NBL1. Picture: Richard Dobson

The four-time Olympic medallist and WNBA legend, who retired in 2016 after chronic knee injuries, has lost 17kg and after being part of a medicinal cannabis trial says her body hasn’t felt this good since before the 2012 London Olympics.

Over the last month, Jackson has been training 6 days a week both in the gym, with her long-time Albury trainer Shannon Pigdon, and on court.

She says when she began her comeback trail, she couldn’t do a lay-up but has regained confidence in her body and ability.

“I never imagined playing again. It came from a conversation with friends who asked would I do it and I thought to play again I’d have to train flat out for 6 weeks, well it’s been 13-14 weeks now and I’m just getting back on court.

“I’ve had a few niggles but my body’s definitely in a place where I’m confident enough to say I’ll be playing in the near future.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster because it’s forced me to face some trauma that I had to deal with at the end of my career when things were bad.

“I’ve had moments that have been enlightening, they’ve made me analyse why I want to do this.”

Bandits president Luke Smith said Jackson’s homecoming was the biggest thing to happen to Albury.

“It’s something you dream about. The community will be blown away and very happy to watch the world’s greatest ever female basketballer play in her home town,” he said.

“There was a bit of a tear in Lauren’s eye with her now being able to play in her stadium in front of her town.”

The NBL1 East season tips off in April.

Originally published as Opals Shyla Heal and Ezi Magbegor endorse Lauren Jackson’s bold comeback bid