Paris Games 2024: Lauren Jackson had privately planned to walk away after Olympic qualifiers

Lauren Jackson had privately planned to walk away from the international stage after the Olympic qualifiers in Brazil – making the shock call to retire before the Paris Games.

Lauren Jackson had always planned to retire from international basketball after helping the Opals reach another Olympic campaign, with her family the priority as she moves into the next stage of her life.

Code Sports can reveal Jackson’s private intention was to play in the Olympic qualifiers in Brazil before walking away to focus on her two sons.

Her eldest boy, Harry, starts school this year and she wants to be present during this crucial stage.

It’s also understood Jackson, 42, is aware that her ageing body is no longer where it once was and she is happy to step aside for the likes of Marianna Tolo.

It means the girl from Albury will finish as a four-time Olympian, who collected three straight silver medals and a bronze.

She also excelled at the World Championships, winning a historic gold medal at the 2006 tournament.

Opals coach Sandy Brondello left the door ajar for Jackson to play at the Paris Olympics in her post-game press conference after the Serbia win.

“Lauren needs to do what is best for Lauren, because her legacy is already set,” Brondello said.

“I think she can still play. I think she is in better shape than what she was at the World Cup in 2022, but it’s what Lauren wants now.

“So, we’ll give her the space. There is no pressure from us and we’ll support her. I still think she can play, but if she doesn’t that’s fine.”

Opals veteran Lauren Jackson on the attack against Germany in the Olympic qualifier in Brazil. Picture: FIBA

Opals legend Michele Timms is disappointed that Jackson won’t play at this year’s Paris Olympics, but she understands and respects her choice.

“It was a big decision for Lauren to go to these games,” Timms said about Jackson, who will finish the WNBL season with the Southside Flyers.

“I know she had spoken about how hard it is on social media. Her son is starting school this year, so it’s a big sacrifice emotionally to go and play for Australia.”

With her goal of Olympic qualification achieved, Jackson watched on as the next generation of Opals took down Serbia in a dead rubber that conjured up an unlikely thriller.

Code Sports can also reveal that the Australian players had been dealing with a gastro bug that swept through the camp.

Jackson not be heading to the Paris Games. Picture: Getty

The Opals put aside the bug to sweep their three qualifiers, including Monday’s hard-fought 75-73 win over Serbia.

Veteran star Tess Madgen joined Jackson, who confirmed she’d played her last game in green and gold, on rest as coach Sandy Brondello unleashed the kids, 19-year-old Isobel Borlase joining the starting line-up and Jade Melbourne, 21, aiding her in guiding the Opals to a perfect 3-0 record in Brazil.

Fighting for their Olympic lives, Serbia threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Aussies, but Seattle Storm WNBA guard Melbourne came up huge in the clutch with a trio of last-quarter buckets and the game clinching free throws that should stamp her ticket to Paris.

Borlase, too, was ice cold in the fourth, draining a pair of free throws with 38 seconds left for her 11th and 12th points of the night that would ultimately be crucial in the 75-73 win.

A late Hail Mary from Serbia’s Angela Dugalic sent a scare through the Opals’ camp when the 22-year-old connected with a heave from near half-court to cut the margin to one with 0.2 seconds on the clock to reduce the final margin to two.

But Melbourne, cool, calm and collected, was fouled and stepped up to the line, icing the first and then deliberately missing the second to ensure Serbia had no hope of a game winner.

The Canberra Capitals guard is Australia’s brightest young talent and seen as the successor to Madgen at the point. The Victorian showed composure beyond her tender years on the international stage, producing a full line of 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a pair of stocks.

Originally published as Paris Games 2024: Lauren Jackson had privately planned to walk away after Olympic qualifiers