Lauren Jackson has declared her basketball comeback complete after the 41-year-old committed to play for the WNBL’s Southside Flyers following this year’s World Cup.
The three-time WNBA MVP and Hall of Famer thought her career was over when a chronic knee injury forced her to retire during the 2016 WNBL season with Canberra.
But the mother and four-time Olympian has enjoyed an incredible resurgence, forcing her way into Australia’s World Cup squad after announcing a shock return and then dominating in the second-tier NBL1 with her native Albury-Wodonga.
“When I started serious training again back in November last year, I took it slowly as I knew I had to get as strong as I possibly could,” Jackson said on Wednesday.
“I honestly didn’t know if my body was going to hold up to the intense training, but it has and I’m feeling great.
“It has been an incredible year … I am really enjoying this opportunity and feel the comeback is now complete.”
The five-time WNBL champion and four-time league and finals MVP will inject considerable profile into the domestic league.
“Lauren is an icon of Australian sport, a great role model, and she will not only be a wonderful contributor to the team on the court, but she will also play an enormous role in building our program to support and develop more opportunities for girls and women in basketball and sport in general,” said Flyers owner Gerry Ryan.
“Her comeback is an inspiration for everyone to continue to strive and not give up, in sport and in life.
Fyers coach Cheryl Chambers said her presence would be inspirational.
“We are thrilled that Lauren has chosen to play for the Flyers,” she said.
“I know how much work she has put in to be back at this level and we are excited to be part of her comeback to the WNBL and know how incredible she will be for this team, on and off the court.
“Our players are looking forward to playing alongside her and learning from her phenomenal experience. She will be an inspiration to all.”
The WNBL season begins in November, with the home World Cup from September 22 Jackson’s immediate focus.
Australia, ranked No.3 in the world, will play pool games against France, Serbia, Nigeria, Japan and Canada.
