Lauren Jackson hugs Opals teammate Cayla George at the Olympics qualifying event in Brazil.Credit:FIBA
“I’m done ... I love Brazil,Brazil has been very good to me,” said Jackson,who was part of the Opals’ victorious 2006 World Cup campaign in Brazil – the only Opals team to win the title.
“How fitting that I get to finish my national career with Australia in Brazil. It’s very special.”
Arguably Australia’s greatest-ever basketballer,Jackson initially retired from the Opals in 2016 before working her way back to fitness to join Sandy Brondello’s bench at the 2022 home World Cup.
She was mostly restricted to cameo appearances at the tournament,before dominating Canada with 30 points in the victorious bronze-medal match.
Jackson has already retired from international basketball once before.Credit:Getty Images
Jackson had been adamant at the time she would not feature for the Opals again,but after recovering from an Achilles injury she was selected in a 20-player squad for the crucial Brazil qualifiers.
Jackson came in midway through the opening term against Germany on Saturday and had an immediate impact,dishing a sizzling assist to Ezi Magbegor,then knocking down a three-pointer.