Australia dominated Canada, 95-65to win the bronze medal at the World Cup with 30 points and 7 rebounds from his legend, Lauren Jackson, 41 years old.
While Lauren Jackson had been inconspicuous so far averaging 6.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.1 assists in limited playing time, her swan song has been extraordinary. It was her 43rd World Cup game in five editions, the last time being in 2010. It was the first time she broke the 20-point mark in 16 years in the 2006 edition, when the Opals won their historic title.
Australia showed incredible mental and physical resilience to bounce back from their heartbreaking semi-final loss to China the night before to climb onto the third step of the podium. Jackson was a commanding and inspiring presence, completing one of the most amazing comeback stories the sport has ever seen. Although disappointed to miss the final, Australia will surely be happy to have secured a medal, having been placed in a very tricky ‘group of death’ with an initial loss to France.
While they were already leading 63-54, it’s a run of 17-2 which allowed the Opals to dig an irremediable gap. Steph Talbot was also resplendent with a near triple-double of 16 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. With 19 points, Kia Nurse was Canada’s top scorer.
Lauren Jackson released a statement confirming this was her final game with the national team, ending a stellar career that includes three WNBA MVP trophies and two WNBA titles as well as a championship gold medal. World Cup in 2006, three Olympic silver medals and an Olympic bronze medal among many other accolades, including induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“I realized that this will be the last game in my history in green and gold and how lucky I was to represent Australia and to say this goodbye, when I had not had this luck all those years ago. I’m so proud of our Opals girls and regardless of the outcome, it’s been the most amazing journey of my life as a basketball player. »
Photo : FIBA