Lauren Jackson Leads Opals in Olympic Semifinal Clash
At 43, Lauren Jackson brings experience and hope to the Australian Opals in their Olympic semifinal against the USA, rejuvenating the team.
Having already become a legend in women’s basketball, Lauren Jackson is leading the Australian Opals to a crucial 2024 Olympic semifinal against the USA. Thus, at the tender age of 43, the former player who graced five Olympic Games brings both experience and hope to her team.
The meeting with the U.S. women’s basketball team will be the fifth clash in the Olympic medal games for Jackson. But unlike in the past, this time, the Australian side appears rejuvenated and does not bear the scars of past defeats. Such a reincarnated version of the Opals is expected to give the nine-time Olympic champions a run for their money.
Jackson says: “I think the youth in this group is amazing. D’ana, Jade, and Shyla, those guys have been outstanding”. Further, the experienced former player says that Melbourne is growing in confidence. Although she has played just five minutes during this Olympic Games, Jackson offers much-needed advice from the bench.
Over time, the former basketballer’s teaching role has also transformed to mint friendships with team members and build resilience. A loss to Nigeria in the group stage matches was sufficient to pull everyone together and convincingly beat Canada and the host France. Thus, as the Opals prepare to face the Americans, the presence of Jackson and her strategic ideas might just offer a perfect balance.
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