“She is motivated” Opals coach Sandy Brondello backs potential Lauren Jackson comeback

Lauren Jackson could quite easily be the best female player in the history of the game, and she is eyeing a stunning return with the backing of a former teammate turned Opals coach.

Opals coach Sandy Brondello has backed Lauren Jackson’s comeback bid, declaring: “She is one of greatest players of all time, so if she thinks she can come back, then why shouldn’t she try.”

As revealed in the Logue Down basketball column, Jackson is considering a return to the court to play in front of her two boys.

The 40-year-old, who retired from professional hoops in 2016, is back training and looks super fit.

The Basketball Hall of Famer has also had success using medicinal cannabis to assist with the well-publicised pain that ended her career.

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Lauren Jackson playing for the Opals in the 2012 London Olympics. Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE / Getty Images / AFP.

It’s prompted Jackson to weigh up a comeback and Brondello confirmed the pair had spoken about coming out of retirement.

“I spoke to Lauren months ago, we do keep in touch, and she did say that she was interested in doing that (a comeback),” Brondello said on the WNBL’s coverage on Kayo.

“Obviously, I’ll give her my support. It is more about how her body can respond to that.

“But this is one of the greatest players of all time, so if she thinks she can come back, then why shouldn’t she try.”

Brondello was also asked if there was a possibility that Jackson could also make a stunning comeback for the Opals at this year’s World Cup in Sydney from September 22 to October 1.

“Look, we’ll have to see what (happens) in the next few months,” she said.

“Lauren is putting in the hard work and just exploring at the moment, so I commend her for that.

“She has had a great career, regardless of what happens. She is motivated, so we’ve just got to wait and see.”

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.

Hall Of Famer ✍️

On September 11, 2021 @laurenej15 was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame #W25pic.twitter.com/yrlMtCtGM3

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 19, 2021

It remains to be seen whether Jackson’s comeback includes the Opals, but Boomers legend and NBL champion Chris Anstey thinks it’s not unrealistic that the Aussie GOAT could make a stunning return to the international stage.

“If the Opals are looking for the perfect replacement for Liz Cambage, then it’s Lauren,” he said.

“Can you imagine the story bringing Lauren back into the Opals at a time when they are struggling — perhaps the worst in the history of their program.

“And they bring in the greatest Opal of all-time to steady the ship.

“If Lauren is in shape with her basketball IQ, her physicality, and her skill, then give her a month and she becomes one of the best players in the WNBL immediately – that is how good she is.

“I’ve heard that Lauren is keen to return from enough people now, who believe it is going to happen, and until it does, we can just cross our fingers and hope.

“Forget the Australian GOAT, Lauren could quite easily be the best female player in the history of the game — she is in that echelon.”