NBL1 South: Australian Opal Rachel Jarry to retire at the end of the season

Two-time Olympian and former Opals star Rachel Jarry is nearing the end of career as she talks us through a remarkable basketball journey.

Rachel Jarry knows the time is right to take her ball and head home.

The two-time Olympian has just three games remaining in career as she prepares to bid farewell at the end of the NBL1 South season with the Sandringham Sabres.

At just 30, many might be wondering why now when time appears to be on Jarry’s side.

She’s content with the decision she had made.

“I achieved a lot in my career at a very young age, my first Olympics when I was 20,” she said.

“I think sort of my curry was kind of a little bit fast tracked, in that sense.

“I see a lot of the girls I grew up with coming into their peak now and unfortunately, my body just won't allow me to get to that point now.

“I just can't give everything I want to basketball.

“And I guess for the people that know me, like I need to be able to give 100 per cent. Otherwise, I'm not going to be satisfied or being the best teammate and everything like that

“I'm more than happy to kind of bow out now before hanging on for too long.”

Jarry’s basketball resume is one of Australia’s finest in recent memory.

Rachel Jarry and Lauren Jackson at the 2012 Olympics. Photo: Getty Images.

She won a bronze medal with the Opals at the 2012 London Olympics.

Just a year earlier she had been selected by the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream with the 18th pick then traded to the Minnesota Lynx on draft night, something she learnt on social media.

Jarry won a WNBL Championship with the Melbourne Boomers in 2011 with a WNBA title with the Lynx following two years later.

That’s without taking into account all of her junior achievements where she represented Vic Metro and Australia until she turned pro.

In 2010, Jarry was voted SEABL’s Most Valuable player when she featured for Ballarat.

Australian Opal basketball star Rachel Jarry. Picture: Mark Stewart

“I look back on some of the things I've achieved and I guess in making this announcement it’s kind of allowed me to reflect a little bit which is kind of hard to do when you’re in the middle of your career,” she said.

“I feel really lucky for the experiences I've had and the memories I’ve been able to make.”

Hearing she played the sport she loved at the Olympics twice still gives Jarry goosebumps as her career to a close.

It meant she played with her idols including Lauren Jackson and Kristi Harrower.

“Playing in the Olympics and winning a medal is my biggest achievement,” she said.

“I was able to play with girls I had grown up watching and just seeing how hard they worked day to day ensure they were at their best had a big impact on my career.

“Then Penny Taylor getting to play with her at Rio. She was another teammate I got to watch as a junior growing up and then getting to play with her in the green and gold is something I still pinch myself about but there's so many I could name.

“I've been really blessed to play with some of the greats of Australian basketball.”

Rachel Jarry during her time at the AIS.

For all the greats she played with, Jarry’s best teammates of her career may never have taken to the court with her.

Mum and Dad.

Growing up in Melbourne’s western suburbs – starting her career with the Altona Gators – they’d drive across the suburbs to ensure their daughter could do what she loved.

“They would spend their Friday nights, as many parents do, travelling all over Melbourne to rep games and things like that,” she recalled.

“So they put in just as much hours as I did growing up. To be able to reward them with being able to come and watch me play at the highest level all over the world is really special to me.

Rachel Jarry with family. Photo: Instagram.

“They supported me moving to Canberra for the AIS at 16 which was daunting because I was a quiet, shy kid but they always backed me to chase my dreams.

“I think it is something that prepared me for being able to play at that professional level (around the world) and just sort of knowing what it takes to be away from family and that kind of thing helped me to be a resilient person.

“I still get a bit emotional when I speak about just how much my family has supported me along the way.”

Jarry will finish part of her career as she has always done – on the road.

The Sabres face a road trip for two games in Tasmania this weekend.

Marianna Tolo, Rachel Jarry and Penny Taylor during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Photo: AFP.

They’ll then honour Jarry at their final home game on August 13 against Eltham.

And while it’s goodbye to basketball for now, we shouldn’t expect to see Jarry lost to the sport.

“I think I'll take a little bit of time away and enjoy having my weekends back and that kind of thing. But no doubt I’ll be back involved in basketball,” she said.

“I'm very passionate about the sport and maybe one day that’ll be in coaching or whatever it is, but I would like to stay involved at some point.

“I'll definitely have a little break and travel and go catch up with some friends over the world I haven’t seen in a while.”