Lauren Jackson
Lauren Jackson
Lauren Elizabeth Jackson AOis an Australian former professional basketball player. The daughter of two national basketball team players, Jackson was awarded a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sportin 1997, when she was 16. In 1998, she led the AIS side that won the Women's National Basketball Leaguechampionship. Jackson joined the Canberra Capitals for the 1999 season when she turned 18, and played with the team off and on until 2006, winning four more WNBL championships. From 2010 to 2016,...
ProfessionBasketball Player
Date of Birth11 May 1981
CityAlbury, Australia
My mum gave up so much to have me, and now I want to repay her.
Leaving my family behind was very scary. I had to grow up quick. But being so young and paying in this league [the WNBA], I'm glad I did it because it's been the best experience in my life.
When I was younger, Lisa Leslie inspired me a whole lot. She was someone I looked up to and wanted to be like. I really believe she is a good person. Hopefully, she can find out I am the same.
I can be a much better player. I've got a long ways to go.
When I'm on the court, I feel like I'm in my element.
I want to be something special. I want to be known as a great female basketballer.
It's not great, ... Once you get out there and start playing, that's just the way it is. With my shins and everything else I've been through that is so painful, I've done this before, so it's not really that frightening.
For me, I was a bit unsure how things would go this year, ... So regular season-wise, we did a hell of a job. Maybe the playoffs were a little bit too much with a lot of new players. I don't know. It's pretty upsetting. I'm a bit shocked. We thought we could do better.
It's a very good deal so I'm excited. I've had a great run in Canberra but it's time to move on. Obviously I've had a lot of injuries and issues with my legs and, for me, I felt it was best to go to a shorter season where I can have time after the WNBA in Australia to undergo rehabilitation.