Lauren Jackson's comeback
Doing anything after stopping for seven years is tough; imagine coming back after having to retire initially due to your knee being bone-on-bone. Then, imagine further doing it after giving birth to two kids. Finally, imagine doing it to play basketball at the professional level. Lauren Jackson did that when she came back to play ball in 2022.
Considered one of the best female players, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inducted her in 2021. She was injured for four years when she retired from pro basketball in 2016; she last played in the WNBA in 2012. Lauren started playing again at a local court at 40 in 2021 and soon joined the NBL1 East, a semi-professional league. She played well enough to get back onto the Australia national team to play in the FIBA Women's World Cup. Lauren had more fouls than points in her first game back for Australia in a loss. Even getting this far was a fantastic feat, but Jackson led Australia to the bronze medal while scoring thirty points against Canada.
Quotes
I don’t believe in fairy tales, I just don’t. But if it ends today, if it ends tomorrow, I don’t care. I’ve had the ride of my life.
Lauren Jackson
References
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Reddit
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Lauren Jackson’s Opals farewell one last dance for greatest of all time
But what a way to go out. One last dance for one of the best there has been. One last medal for Lauren Jackson.
The Guardian
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After Years Away, One of Basketball’s Greats Returns at 41
“I don’t believe in fairy tales,” she said. “I just don’t. But if it ends today, if it ends tomorrow, I don’t care. I’ve had the ride of my life.”
The New York Times
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WNBA Hall of Famer Lauren Jackson, 41, named to Australia's World Cup team, capping stunning comeback from retirement
It's the pinnacle of what has been a noteworthy comeback for the Hall of Famer.
ESPN
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How basketball great Lauren Jackson’s remarkable comeback at age 41 transpired
While her return is not yet assured, with Jackson entering Opals camp on Monday to fight for her place in the final team, the story so far is worthy of, if not a prestige television series, then at least a sequel to her book. There is a chance this final chapter might be the most memorable one of all.
The Guardian
