Basketball queen Lauren Jackson has had a fairytale finish, scoring 30 points to lead the Opals to a bronze medal finish at the women’s basketball World Cup in Sydney.
Australia smashed Canada 95-65 on Saturday afternoon, but there was hardly a dry eye in Sydney as one of the nation’s best called time on her incredible career.
Jackson, 41, came out of retirement earlier in the year in a bid to play at the World Cup – and she rolled back the years to cement her status as one of the game’s greats as she turned it on in front of a packed house.
It was Australia’s first world championship medal on home soil.
Jackson was given a standing ovation when she was subbed late in the fourth quarter, having slotted another basket from the line.
“Stand up and applaud Australia,” it was said in commentary on ESPN.
“One of the all-time greats in any sport this country has produced. She goes out on her terms.
“Lauren Jackson you bloody superstar.”
Unfortunately for viewers, the ESPN feed dropped out moments later, denying thousands the chance of watching Jackson’s final moments in gold.
Social media lit up at the conclusion of the match, with the world taken by Jackson’s brilliant return for Australia.
