This was published 9 years ago
Lauren Jackson - a glittering basketball career
Lauren Jackson has ended her magnificent basketball career because of injury - we look back at her stellar journey over two decades.
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Lauren Jackson, pictured here in 2001, has played for the Canberra Capitals and Opals for almost 20 years.Credit:Paul Harris
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Lauren Jackson holds up a jersey after she was chosen as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm in 2001.Credit:
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Lauren Jackson of the Seattle Storm drives to the basket during the 2001 WNBA All-Star Game in Orlando, Florida. Credit:
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Lauren Jackson hugs Seattle teammate Betty Lennox during the WNBA finals series against the Connecticut Sun in 2004.Credit:
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Lauren Jackson celebrates winning one of two WNBA championships in her illustrious career.Credit:Getty-Images
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Lauren Jackson was a star in the WNBA and in leagues around the world.Credit:John Bazemore
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Lauren Jackson stands next to the 2007 WNBA Most Valuable Player trophy, an award she won three times.Credit:AP
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Australia's Lauren Jackson kisses the gold medal after winning the final of the Women's World Basketball Championships against Russia 91-74 in Sao Paulo, 2006.Credit:Andre Penner
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Lauren Jackson with her parents Maree and Gary Jackson.Credit:Jay Cronan
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Canberra Capitals players Jess Bibby and Lauren Jackson after winning the 2010 WNBL grand final.Credit:Andrew Sheargold
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Lauren Jackson, here playing against Brazil in 2012, had a glittering international career.Credit:Robert Prezioso
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Lauren Jackson leads the Australian team into the opening ceremony of the London Olympics in 2012.Credit:Pat Scala
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A fierce competitor, Lauren Jackson goes for the ball against Tina Charles and Tamika Catchings of the US in the 2012 Olympics semi-final.Credit:Jason South
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Lauren Jackson claimed three silver and one bronze medal with the Opals at four Olympics. Injury has forced her retirement and ended her dream of playing in Rio.Credit:
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Lauren Jackson, surrounded by the Opals, former Opals coach Jan Stirling and current Opals coach Brendan Joyce, announces her retirement.Credit:Jamila Toderas