Lauren Jackson reveals her mindset as she weighs up another remarkable return to the court

Lauren Jackson may be 42, but the Aussie basketball great says she has never felt better as she weighs up another return to the court.

Lauren Jackson of Australia celebrates with teammates after playing her final Opals game during the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 3rd place match between Canada and Australia at Sydney Superdome, on October 01, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

Lauren Jackson is refusing to rule out a swan song for Australia at next year’s Paris Olympics as she weighs up a return to the WNBL.

Jackson previously stated she won’t don the green and gold again after coming out of retirement to lead the Opals to a bronze medal at last year’s World Cup.

As of now, the legendary centre says her time in the Australian singlet is over, but she doesn’t want to put a definitive end to her stellar international career.

Jackson is currently weighing up a second WNBL season with the Southside Flyers as she recovers from a ruptured right Achilles and fractured left foot that prematurely ended her comeback campaign in 2022.

Lauren Jackson of Australia reacts after playing her final Opals game during the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 3rd place match between Canada and Australia at Sydney Superdome last year. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

The 42-year-old told Code Sports she has never felt physically better – and should she play WNBL and have a successful season – then a final green and gold stint in Paris isn’t out of the question.

“Closing the door on anything is really hard after the last two years that I’ve had,” Jackson said.

“The thing is I’ll say it’s over and then in six months’ time I may have had the best (WNBL) season of my life and who knows.

“I never anticipated I’d get back to basketball after last year – and I’ve said I won’t play for Australia again – and right at this point I’ll categorically say I’ll never play for Australia again – but that could change in six months.

“Who knows – I could be fantastic (in the WNBL) you never know what is going to happen.”

At this point, Jackson is yet to commit to the 2023/2024 WNBL season with Southside.

An injured Lauren Jackson looks on from the bench during the round 13 WNBL match between Southside Flyers and Sydney Flames at John Cain Arena. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

She is back running every day again – and feels stronger and fitter than she has in years – but she wants to make sure that another domestic campaign is what she really wants.

“I’m a single mum with two boys and it’s uprooting my entire life again, so it has to be perfect,” said Jackson, who confirmed she’d only play for the Flyers given the support they’ve provided throughout her injury rehabilitation.

“It was really hard last year – I was away from them (my boys) a fair bit and I just can’t do that again.

“But I’ve never felt physically better, so I’ve got to figure out what I want.

“I want to play again, but there is a part of me that’s saying, ‘do you really want to play again’, so who knows.

“I’m going to let it happen and when I’m ready to make that decision – I will.”

JACKSON’S ‘MAGIC’ MATILDAS ADMIRATION

Like the rest of Australia, Jackson is also taking time out of her busy schedule as a mum, athlete and worker to watch the Australian Matildas play in a football World Cup on home soil.

Basketball’s GOAT knows plenty about performing on the international stage in our own backyard having featured in the Sydney 2000 Olympics and last year’s FIBA World Cup also in the Harbour City.

Australia's Lauren Jackson (C) is lifted in the air by teammates after victory in the 2022 Women's Basketball World Cup bronze medal game between Australia and Canada at the Superdome in Sydney last year. Photo: William WEST / AFP.

Jackson urged the Matildas to capitalise on the momentous occasion and opportunity in front of the home fans.

“You can’t imagine what they are going through at the moment,” she said.

“For the Opals, to have the World Cup on home soil was incredible and it felt like a dream, but what they are through is probably 10 times more heightened.

“The pressure would be immense, but that pressure is also what makes it more exciting.

“This is what you train for and dream of your entire life, so for these girls what a magic time to be an athlete and for women in sport.”

Jackson reserved special praise for United States midfielder, football icon and activist Megan Rapinoe, who has announced the 2023 World Cup will be her final event before retiring.

Rapinoe is the partner of legendary American basketballer Sue Bird – a superstar guard who has won four WNBA championships and five straight Olympic gold medals dating back to the 2004 Athens Games.

Megan Rapinoe of USA looks on during the FIFA Women's World Cup Group E match between USA and Vietnam at Eden Park in Auckland. Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images.

Jackson won two WNBA championships alongside Bird at the Seattle Storm in ’04 and 2010 – and has since got to know and respect her partner, Megan.

“This is Megan’s last World Cup event and I think the impact she has had on sport and women globally,” Jackson said about Rapinoe – the two-time World Cup gold medallist, who was one of five women soccer players to successfully sue the US Soccer Federation for equal pay.

“This is a huge time for her and being able to watch her journey and where she goes from here – oh my gosh.

“There are so many great things to come and it’s cool.”

BECOMING A VOICE

Lauren Jackson has opened up about her ACL injury.

Jackson has teamed up with Medibank to announce the establishment of ACL United – a cross-sports code initiative aiming to shed light on the increased threat of anterior cruciate ligament injuries among women.

Female athletes up to five times more likely to injure their ACL.

An ACL injury forced the Aussie basketball great into retirement in 2016 – so she wants to help raise awareness about the injury’s challenges.

Jackson says women’s sport is elevating in Australia and it’s a “fantastic” time to promote issues that really impact females athletes across all codes.

“This program means a lot to me,” she said.

“An ACL injury was the end of my career and unlike a lot of the kids that are coming up now, I didn’t really have the time to rehab and get back.

“It’s a different journey for everyone that does their ACL, depending on where they are at in their career.

“I’m just really glad that I can share my wisdom and what I’ve learnt along the way.”

Originally published as Lauren Jackson reveals her mindset as she weighs up another remarkable return to the court