Lauren Jackson was born to Maree and Gary Jackson on May 11, 1981, in Albury, New South Wales, Australia. Her brother, Ross, came along a year later. Lauren’s mother, who stands 6-2, played basketball for the Opals, Australia’s national women’s team, beginning in 1974. She starred for Louisiana State University from 1976 to 1978, returning Down Under each year to join the Opals. Maree was so dominant a center during the late 1970s and early 80s that she was called the female Wilt Chamberlain.Lauren’s father, three inches taller than his wife, owned a laser-like jumper and also played for Australia’s national team (the men go by the nickname “Boomers”), though he was never a big star. His favorite player was Chamberlain, too. Both parents coached youth teams in New South Wales province during Lauren’s childhood.
Being accepted into the AIS program and playing for coach Phil Brown was an important step for Lauren. Virtually every AIS graduate turns pro. In fact, about half the players in Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League are former AIS players.
Lauren was invited to join the Opals for the 1998 World Championships in Germany, and at 17 became the youngest player ever on the national squad. What a thrill it was to hob nob with the country’s top player, Michele Timms, and team captain Robyn Maher, who had actually been a teammate of her mother’s years earlier.
In June of 1998, at the World Championships, Lauren made her international debut for the Opals and helped them win a bronze medal. The teenager was a benchwarmer unknown to the basketball world outside Australia when the tournament started. By the end, she was the Opal’s go-to girl. For the tournament she averaged a point a minute, and rebounded like a whirlwind.
Lauren Jackson
Lauren Jackson
Lauren Jackson
Lauren Jackson
Lauren Jackson
Lauren Jackson
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