Australia’s greatest ever basketballer is set for a return to the court this season.
Lauren Jackson will play in the second-tier NBL1 competition for her hometown Albury-Wodonga Bandits.
The 40-year-old will play for the Bandits in the NBL1 East, mostly made up of teams from the old Waratah League competition.
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Jackson last played in 2015, retiring after knee and other injuries plagued the latter stages of her career.
“When I played in America and Europe, overseas living the dream, there were times when I just wished I played for Albury at home so it’s a bit of a dream come true,” she told News Corp.
In an incredible flex, Jackson’s home games will be played at the facility named in her honour – Lauren Jackson Sports Centre.
“We’re just over the moon that Lauren’s playing for her hometown and her home club,” club president Luke Smith said.
“It’s huge for the Albury-Wodonga Bandits and for the Albury-Wodonga community.
She also hasn’t ruled out a return to the Opals for the upcoming World Cup, which will be hosted in Australia later this year.
“I haven’t really played for eight years and I haven’t played a game yet so I’ve got no idea what to expect,” she said.
“After a couple of months of playing NBL1, who knows how I’m going to feel, what I’m going to be doing or how I’ll be playing, it’s a complete unknown.”
The NBL1 season begins in early April.
“Our young players are going to have a massive opportunity to play and train with arguably the world’s best-ever female basketball player,” Smith said.
“It’s huge for them, it’s huge for every kid and it’s huge for every basketball player in Albury-Wodonga.”
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