“I think I will probably be an impact player off the bench. I think what I can do, what I can offer the girls, coming off the bench, is going to be good. I feel pretty confident in that.
“Strengthwise, I feel really good. I am really glad that my body has held up. I know every time I step foot on the court, I am getting better. The next six weeks are going to be critical, spending as much time with the girls as possible before the worlds.”
Lauren Jackson is back for the Opals.Credit:Getty Images
Jackson, now a mother, said she has a broader perspective on sport and life and is more emotional, having had a razor-sharp focus on basketball when she was arguably the world’s best player and a WNBA superstar with the Seattle Storm through the first decade of this century.
Her dominance, leading to three WNBA most valuable player awards, came from her ability to monster opponents in the paint and score from the perimeter. She now says she “definitely can’t move like she used to” and is more of a “banger” inside.
“But I can still pop the three, though,” Jackson said.
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“Every step of the way in this journey has been quite emotional. It has been a bit of a head game just because I was so far removed from this level of basketball for so long. Like I said, I never thought I would get back here.”
WNBA players Bec Allen, Ezi Magbegor, Steph Talbot, Kristy Wallace and Sami Whitcomb have all made the roster, as have long-time Opals Cayla George, Marianna Tolo and Tess Madgen.
Sara Blicavs, Darcee Garbin, Anneli Maley and Wallace will all be playing their first World Cups.
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Madgen, one of three team leaders, said Jackson was “feisty and competitive and fierce” and elevated the players, coming at a time when the Opals have undergone cultural change after the Cambage drama.
The world No.3 Opals, however, face a difficult group in Sydney with France, Serbia and Japan all having made the medal round at the Tokyo Olympics, while Canada have a strong roster and Mali round out the group.
“Making the final cut to 12 is always difficult with so many great athletes pushing for selection,” Brondello said.
“The training camp in New York demonstrated how much each of these athletes wanted to compete on home soil, the competition for a spot on the team was fierce. Of course, the inclusion of Lauren is the talking point but from my perspective, she has put in the work and deserves to be here, she will add another dimension to our team dynamic.”
The World Cup will be played at Qudos Bank Arena and the Quaycentre in Sydney from September 22 to October 1.
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