The time is now: LJ destined for the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Lauren Jackson did it all during an illustrious basketball career that spanned 19 years. Her list of achievements is vast, having climbed almost every pinnacle the sport has to offer. Whether it was Australia, the United States, Europe or Asia, success ensued wherever Jackson played, a role model that inspired girls across the world to take up basketball and excel both on and off the court.

Having been inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame in May 2019, the time has come for Jackson's achievements, and indeed her contribution to the growth of women's basketball, recognised by the the rest of the world. That next step appears to be an imminent induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF).

Jackson has been named as one of 12 finalists for inclusion into the WBHO, with thed shortlist selected by a Board of Directors select individuals to be inducted based on an impressive selection criterion, including being a contributing team member of an Olympic side and having had professional experience with honours. Jackson ticks every box, and then more.

The final inductees to the WBHOF will be announced on February 10 at the University of Connecticut versus University of South Carolina game from 11:00am AEDT. If Jackson is named as one of the inductees, she will be officially inducted on June 13 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Michele Timms, a Basketball Australia Hall of Fame Legend, is the only other Australian in the WBHOF, and given the long list of achievements garnered by Jackson, it is only fitting that she should join her.

https://pickandroll.com.au/lauren-jackson-talks-nbl-opals-and-the-challenges-for-womens-basketball-in-australia/

Jackson's passion for the Opals and representing her country was second to none. After making her debut with the senior team at just 16 years old, she would go on to guide the Opals to three Olympic silver medals (2000, 2004, 2008), one

Olympic bronze medal (2012). She helped lead Australia to the top of women's basketball in 2006 when she captained the Opals to a gold medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championships, also picking up silver in 2002.

Lauren Jackson's honour roll is extensive. She was the flag bearer for Australia at the the 2012 London Olympics, and recognised for her contribution to the sport in being appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2015.

Currently Head of Women in Basketball for Basketball Australia, Jackson continues to make a positive contribution to women's basketball, and it would only be fitting that she is inducted into the WBHOF come June this year.

WNBL (Australia)

4 x WNBL MVP (1999, 2000, 2003, 2004)

5 x WNBL All Star (1999-2004)

4 x WNBL Grand Final MVP (2002, 2003, 2006, 2010)

6 x WNBL Championships (1998/99, 1999/00, 2001/02, 2005/06, 2009/10)

WNBA (USA)

WNBA All Decade team (2006)

2 x WNBA Champion (2004, 2010)

7 x All-WNBA First Team (2003-2007, 2009, 2010)

WNBA Top 15 team (2011)

7 x WNBA All-Star (2001-2003, 2005-2007, 2009)

3 x WNBA MVP (2003, 2007, 2010)

WNBA Finals MVP (2010)

WNBA Rebounding Champion (2007)

Olympics

4 x Olympian (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012)

3 x Silver Medalist (2000, 2004, 2008)

1 x Bronze Medalist (2012)

All-time leading points scorer in Olympic women's basketball history

FIBA & Other Achievements

1 x World Championship Gold Medalist (2006)

1 x World Championship Silver Medalist (2002)

1 x Commonwealth Games gold medal (2006)

3 x EuroLeague Champion (2007, 2008, 2009)

3 x Russian Super League Champion (2007, 2008, 2009)

1 x Women's Korean Basketball League MVP (2007)