Jackson ‘the fittest she has ever been’ as teen Opal dreams of Paris
By Roy Ward
Late in the Australian Opals win over China on Wednesday night, Izzy Borlase came off a screen from Lauren Jackson and nailed a three-pointer.
Jackson, 43, had just won her second silver medal with the Opals when Borlase was born in September 2004. Now, they are days away from potentially chasing a medal together at Paris 2024 with the team’s final roster to be decided in the coming days.
Isobel Borlase of the Opals drives to the basket against China.Credit: Getty Images
The 19-year-old South Australian was watching Jackson and the Opals play at the FIBA World Cup in Sydney two years ago; now she is starring alongside them scoring 19 points as the Opals thumped the world No. 2 China 94-66 at John Cain Arena on Wednesday.
Borlase still can’t believe she is in the Opals team and playing in games that matter such as Olympic qualifying in Brazil in February.
“Being only 19, I never would have thought that an Olympics would be within my reach,” Borlase said.
“There is lots of time for me to make an Olympics but the fact that it is right there now, I hope it comes true.”
Lauren Jackson of the Australian Opals handles the ball during the game between Australia and China.Credit: Getty Images
With coach Sandy Brondello still leading her New York Liberty team in the WNBA until the league pauses for the Olympics from July 19 AEDT, Cheryl Chambers is coaching the side for these China games.
Chambers couldn’t help but giggle when Borlase was asked about playing with Jackson, who had 13 points, it seems the age difference has been pointed out many times.
“It’s amazing – I don’t think any of us would have ever imagined we would be playing with Lauren,” Borlase said.
“She shows it [her greatness] at training, in the gym and out on the court. She is someone I look up to.
“I get reminded about the age gap between me and some of the girls, but that’s our team; that is what makes us unique.”
Chambers also praised Jackson who she described as being the “fittest she has ever been”.
“Sometimes we expect the bronze medal game Lauren Jackson,” Chambers said.
“But I think she is the fittest she has ever been and she allows people to be good around her. I thought she had a great game tonight.
“Our fitness guys are saying she sends these things through that she is doing that are unbelievable and she has to be, as age is not on her side.
“She has awesome skills, to keep her body going she needs to be that fit and hats off to her for being so disciplined and doing it.”
Victorian forward Alice Kunek, who is chasing her first Olympics, was also exceptional with 19 points showing she had completely recovered from a broken wrist which ruined her WNBL season.
“I’ve been dealt a few injuries recently so to be playing right now, I’m just super grateful,” Kunek said.
“I’ve done the work and you just have to trust everything and I know they are going to pick the best team to go to Paris.”
Alice Kunek of the Opals attempts to get a shot away.Credit: Getty Images
The Opals roster seems a little more predictable than the Boomers, with WNBA players Ezi Magbegor, Rebecca Allen, Steph Talbot, Kristy Wallace, Sami Whitcomb, Alanna Smith and Jade Melbourne appearing likely to be on the final roster.
Smith struggled for minutes under Brondello in Tokyo, but has starred with the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA so she would be hard-pressed to be left out.
Jackson, Marianna Tolo, Tess Madgen and Cayla George are veterans who all played in the Olympic qualifying campaign in February, that would leave one spot which seems set for Borlase who has gone from strength to strength at international level.
Point guards Steph Reid and Maddison Rocci plus Kunek and centre Darcee Garbin have done everything right so could still earn a place.
Chambers and the coaches are regularly having calls with Brondello as they finalise selection, the Opals play China at John Cain Arena on Friday night.
The Olympic team will meet up in Spain once WNBA pauses for training camp and some final games before heading to Lille, where the basketball will be played.
“It’s a horrible thing to do to have to select the team but it’s part and parcel of these roles,” Chambers said.
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