Call for statue to be built for basketball legend Lauren Jackson as she eyes fifth Olympic Games

Lauren Jackson is one of the WNBA’s and Australia’s greatest. Storm coach Noelle Quinn is in Australia and says a statue of the hoops legend in Seattle is inevitable. But what about at home?

Build the GOAT a statue.

That’s the opinion of Seattle Storm coach Noelle Quinn on Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson.

In Australia to scout WNBL talent ahead of the WNBA’s free agency period, Quinn sat courtside on Sunday as the 42-year-old poured in 20 points for Southside Flyers against Melbourne Boomers and marvelled at her quest for a fifth Olympic berth.

“Unbelievable, anything is possible and it’s such an encouragement,” Quinn, who played alongside Jackson at the Storm, said.

“I can’t even fathom trying to play basketball at this high a level right now. She’s such a great example to her children and, for us, as basketball fans, it’s amazing to see her continue to dominate.

Lauren Jackson one of Australia’s greatest athletes.

Storm WNBA coach believes Lauren Jackson deserves a statue in Seattle. Picture: AP Photo

“One day, she will have a statue in Seattle, just because of how impactful she was.

“Winning a championship, playing for our fans and doing so many amazing things — in the city of Seattle our fans are still wearing her jersey.

“She was — and still is — one of Seattle’s greats.”

Quinn’s call begs the question — is it time for a statue of the Albury native, whose achievements include eight major medals across the Olympics and World Cup and seven titles and seven MVP’s across the WNBA and WNBL, to take pride of place at a prominent location?

While, under WNBA rules, Quinn can’t speak on any potential player movement, Boomers starlet Jordin Canada was set to be one of the W’s most in-demand players — until, over the weekend, LA designated the 28-year-old ‘core’ player.

Jordin Canada quickly estblished herself as one of the best players in the league. Picture: Getty Images

That guarantees Canada a one-year US$240,000 supermax contract, which can be negotiated. A move would require any team wanting to secure the gun point guard’s services to trade with the Sparks.

Canada, among the WNBL MVP favourites leading the league in assists (7.9), second in steals (2.6) and eighth in scoring (15.4), turned it on against Southside with 21 points — including 11 in the last quarter, to go with eight assists as a Boomers’ comeback just fell short, 84-82.

Other WNBA clubs are slated to visit in the coming weeks to eye WNBL talent.

STORMING AUSSIES

Seattle has been enamoured with Australians since Jackson’s exploits, with no less than three Opals — Ezi Magbegor, Jade Melbourne and Sami Whitcomb — on Noelle’s roster.

“Aussies have a knack for basketball, they’re tough, very good teammates and they pour their passion in the sport and that’s why they’re so successful in the W,” she said.

Here’s what she had to say about her trio of stars:

Izzy Magbegor loom as a akey piece of the Opals Paris Olympic campaign. Picture: Getty Images

Ezi Magbegor (former Melbourne Boomers)

“Ezi, we drafted very young, so, to see her developing and her becoming a WNBA All-Star is just a testament to the work ethic and foundation that’s laid in the WNBL and at the Boomers.”

Jade Melbourne has become the face Australian basketball’s next generation. Picture: Getty Images

Jade Melbourne (Canberra Capitals)

“What she’s doing as an individual is showing her growth and her persistence to want to be great. She’s a floor general, she’s leading, she’s doing a lot of great things and we want that to translate over in Seattle. Her enthusiasm and the intangibles brings is what separates her. I’m really happy she’s in the Opals squad going to Brazil.

Sami Whitcomb is a deadly long-range weapon whenever she’s on the floor. Picture: Getty Images

Sami Whitcomb (Townsville Fire)

“Sami had that breakout season when I was her teammate and she’s one of the hardest-working people I know. To see her transformation into motherhood and just how the game has kind of slowed down for her, what she’s done the last few seasons, it’s great to be a part of that journey.

JACKSON HOBBLES OFF COURT ON DAY OF STUNNING OPALS SELECTION — BUT PARIS BID LIKELY ON TRACK

On the day she was selected in the Australian squad for upcoming Olympic qualifiers, legendary Opal Lauren Jackson had hearts in throats as she limped from the court during Southside’s WNBL demolition of Bendigo.

Jackson suffered a knock to her right knee and iced up after just 14 minutes on the MSAC floor during the crushing 27-point win over the Spirit.

The 42-year-old was sent for scans immediately following the game.

It puts a cloud over her chances of joining the Opals for a trio of Olympic qualifiers in Brazil from February 8-11 — ahead of a remarkable fifth Olympic Games.

Code Sports has been told there’s a confidence among Flyers physios the injury was minor.

It’s understood the towering 42-year-old’s place in the 12-woman squad was sealed by last week’s vintage 28-point performance.

Lauren Jackson is now odds on to appear at a fifth Olympic Games. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

The sport’s Aussie GOAT will be joined in the team by rising 21-year-old starlet Jade Melbourne, who is backing up her WNBA experience with a brilliant season in Canberra.

Teenager Isobel Borlase, 23 years Jackson’s junior, is part of a squad that also brings in emergent centre Alanna Smith and vastly improved point guard Steph Reid.

Former WNBL MVP Anneli Maley was overlooked while fellow FIBA World Cup bronze medal winners Steph Talbot, Kristy Wallace, Darcee Garbin and Alice Kunek were unavailable for selection, due to injury.

“We have limited preparation time for this window but we will take that as a motivator, this is where our experienced players will really make a difference. We are completely locked in now on the three games and securing our Olympic spot,” coach Sandy Brondello said.

The Australian-based Opals will fly to Brazil on January 30 where they will link up with Brondello and Europe-based players Marianna Tolo, Ezi Magbegor and Smith for clashes with the host nation, Germany and Serbia.

Originally published as Call for statue to be built for basketball legend Lauren Jackson as she eyes fifth Olympic Games