Australian basketball icon’s shock career revival ahead of 2022 World Cup

Jed Wells

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Australian basketball icon’s shock career revival ahead of 2022 World Cup image

Lauren Jackson has sent shockwaves throughout the basketball world today, announcing that she will be suiting up for a return to the court. 

Jackon, who is 40 years old, has not played professionally since 2012, her final WNBA season with the Seattle Storm. 

But it was announced this morning that the three-time WNBA MVP would be making a comeback, in Australia’s NBL1 East. 

Jackson will be playing with the Albury Wodonga Bandits, her home team, who play their home games at the ‘Lauren Jackson Sports Centre’. 

The Australian great has also not ruled out an attempt to play for the Opals at the Basketball World Cup, being held in Sydney this September. 

This return to play comes less than a year after Jackson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, alongside fellow icons of the sport such as Chris Bosh and Paul Pierce. 

She is the owner of one of the most storied professional basketball careers ever, including three WNBA MVPs, two WNBA championships, and one respective Finals MVP, a WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, and seven All-Star Appearances. 

In the WNBL, she gained four MVPs, five Championships, and four Finals MVPs, and was inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. 

While having not played since 2012, Jackson did not officially retire until 2016 - she missed the 2013, 2014, and 2015 WNBA seasons due to a horror run of injuries, including a hamstring requiring surgery, right knee, and left achilles problems, and then right knee surgery. 

Jackson officially pulled the pin in 2016 after her injury setbacks saw her miss the chance to join the Opals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, so this World Cup berth could represent closure for the Australian great who was, until now, unable to end her career on her terms. 

Albury Wodonga Bandits president Luke Smith was more than excited to have Jackson returning to the court, citing not just the importance of her play, but also her experience and leadership on and off the court. 

"We’re just over the moon that Lauren’s playing for her hometown and her home club,” Smith said.

"It’s huge for the Albury Wodonga Bandits and for the Albury Wodonga community. 

“Our young players are going to have a massive opportunity to play and train with arguably the world’s best-ever female basketball player.

"It’s huge for them, it’s huge for every kid and it’s huge for every basketball player in Albury Wodonga."

This stint with the Bandits will not be Jackson’s first foray with the team - she played for them in their inaugural game in 2006, a victory against the Nunawading Spectres.

Fans will still need to wait two months to see Jackson back in action, with the Bandits' first game of the NBL1 East season scheduled for the ninth of April against the Illawarra Hawks. 

10 years between drinks is a long time for a professional basketballer, but playing in a stadium named after you is sure to bring out the best in any player.

Jed Wells

Jed Wells Photo

Jed is a writer and social media producer, who has a keen interest in the intersection of sports and popular culture, especially basketball.