Lauren Elizabeth Jackson
an Australian professional basketball player. Jackson began her professional career at the Australian Institute of Sport in the WNBL before moving on to the Canberra Capitals. She is currently a forward/centre with the Seattle Storm of the WNBA and the Australian national team The Opals. She has won national championships in the U.S., Australia, and Russia, as well as a World Championship.
Lauren Jackson was born to Maree and Gary Jackson. 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.
Lauren went on her first hoops road trip at two weeks and was holding a tiny basketball at four weeks. At two years, she was guaranteeing Australia would win Olympic gold with her help. At four years, she already looked comfortable on the court—and under the bleachers, where she spent countless hours exploring (and napping) while her parents practiced for, played in, and later coached in national tournaments.
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