‘I’m done’: Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson confirms retirement after Opals qualify for Paris Olympics

Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson has confirmed she won’t be part of the Opals in Paris this 12 months, formally saying her retirement from worldwide basketball.

The 42-year-old made the announcement following Australia’s 85-52 victory over Germany in Belem on Sunday AEDT, which ensured the Opals certified for the upcoming Olympic Games in France.

“I’m done … I love Brazil, Brazil has been very good to me,” Jackson mentioned after the win.

“How fitting that I get to finish my national career with Australia in Brazil. It’s very special.”

Jackson, arguably Australia’s best basketballer, was a member of the Opals squad throughout the triumphant 2006 World Cup marketing campaign in Brazil, additionally profitable 4 Olympic medals all through her illustrious profession.

She initially retired from the Opals in 2016 earlier than making a shocking comeback forward of the 2022 World Cup in Australia.

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Early final 12 months, a torn Achilles threatened to finish Jackson’s profession, however the New South Wales product returned forward of the continuing FIBA qualifiers event in Brazil, chosen in a 20-player squad for the essential event.

Jackson scored 9 factors after coming off the bench within the first quarter of Sunday’s victory over Germany, serving to the Opals qualify for the Olympics for a tenth time.

“When I say this has been a privilege, I mean it,” Jackson later wrote on Instagram.

“I love these girls so much.”

Australia’s remaining match of the qualifying event shall be towards Serbia on Monday morning.