She’s played at four Olympics, but this hoops legend has never felt so much pressure
By Roy Ward
Three of Australia’s veteran basketballers will make history at Paris, but it will be their younger teammates who determine if the Opals and Boomers can win Olympic gold medals.
Lauren Jackson, Patty Mills and Joe Ingles joined Andrew Gaze as the only Aussie basketballers to be selected for five Olympics when they were confirmed in the teams announced for Paris by the Australian Olympic Committee on Sunday.
Joe Ingles, Lauren Jackson and Patty Mills pose after each being selected for their fifth Olympics.Credit: Getty Images
Jackson, 43, admitted she stressed over selection for the first time in her career, while Mills and Ingles overcame difficult NBA seasons to earn their place on the team. In fact, Ingles’ position was only confirmed in a late meeting of coaches following Thursday night’s win over China.
The Opals had an Australian-based side play their lead-up games because coach Sandy Brondello and the seven WNBA players in the squad are unable to leave their US teams until July 18, which led to that exact number of local players being cut on Friday.
“The last week and a half have been the hardest I’ve had, pressure-wise, as a professional athlete,” Jackson said.
The five Australian-based players heading to Paris to represent the Opals: Lauren Jackson; Tess Madgen; Izzy Borlase; Cayla George; and, Marianna Tolo.Credit: Getty Images
“I’ve never felt that. Those girls gave everything to the team, and I’m honoured and grateful to stand here today.
“The last I was doing this [London 2012], I was the star, so I didn’t worry about being selected – I’m not any more; I’m a role player, and I had to work to make sure I was selected, but I’m so proud of myself that I got here with them.”
Boomers coach Brian Goorjian caused a shock by leaving NBA defensive ace Matisse Thybulle out, but he felt Ingles would be a better fit and Green, Exum and Dyson Daniels were too similar to him.
Mills said the Boomers were still aiming win the gold medal, despite it being the strongest men’s tournament in history, with Team USA led by LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, Serbia led by Nikola Jokic and Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo being on the verge of earning a late berth.
Just escaping their group of death will be a challenge for the Boomers against Canada and, two qualifiers, probably powerhouses Spain and Greece.
“I don’t think that fifth Olympics part has set in yet. Down the road I will think of that. Right now, we are in the trenches,” Mills said.
“To be the best we have to beat the best. Our goal is to be the team standing on top of the podium, and for us to be unapologetic about that.
“We will be the most physical, blue-collar and most connected team. We are going to have to be the best defensive team.
“We did something special in Tokyo [winning bronze], but we don’t want to be that team. It’s clear what we need to do and the pieces that need to have an impact.”
The Australian Boomers squad bound for Paris 2024.Credit: Getty Images
Mills will lead the team, but the Boomers will look to Josh Giddey, Josh Green, Jock Landale and Dante Exum to be their main performers, while Jackson anointed her teammate Ezi Magbegor as the world’s best defensive player.
Giddey, 21, has endured a torrid NBA season, struggling with his shooting and with off-court allegations of an improper relationship with a young girl, although investigations by police and the NBA ended with no charges being laid.
The season ended with him being traded to the Chicago Bulls, but the prospect of Paris 2024 was something he “definitely” used as a beacon through the difficult times.
“Especially with this year, getting back around the Australian environment was something I was excited for, and it has lived up to everything I was hoping for,” Giddey said.
Australia’s 3x3 Women’s team: Anneli Maley, Alex Wilson, Lauren Mansfield and Marena Whittle pose with head coach, Damon Lowery, far left.Credit: Getty Images
“This year was up and down for me, that is not a secret. To be the playmaker I see myself as and lead this team is something I’ve been looking forward to.”
Magbegor, who had a career-best eight blocks for her Seattle Storm last week, is one of the players primed to do well. However, Jackson will be a bigger factor than at the 2022 FIBA World Cup in Sydney where she led the side to a bronze medal.
“We have some superstars who are coming back into the team – Ezi is playing probably the best defence in the world right now, so I’m excited to play with her again,” Jackson said.
The women’s 3x3 basketball team will make its debut at Paris, naming Anneli Maley, Lauren Mansfield, Marena Whittle and Alex Wilson in the side.
Opals debutante Izzy Borlase, 19, was born in September 2004, less than a month after Jackson won her second Olympic medal with the Opals.
“It’s still sinking in,” Borlase said.
“I went into the meeting with Sandy [Brondello] and all I was looking for was the confirmation – the rest was a blur.
“Mum and dad had booked flexi-flights to Europe and I didn’t know. So I think I will have some family over there.”
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