Lauren Jackson hails rise of women’s basketball, opportunities

WNBA legend Lauren Jackson during his visit to Manila for the NBA House Philippines. –NBA PH PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —WNBA legend Lauren Jackson believes the continued rise of women’s basketball is giving young girls around the world more opportunities to turn their dreams into reality.

Jackson, a three-time WNBA MVP and two-time champion with the Seattle Storm, relishes how the growing platforms for women’s basketball are putting the sport and its players in the spotlight like never before.

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“Globally, women’s basketball is starting to take off. For me, working in the WNBL, WNBA, it’s nothing prouder. It could make me prouder of the women’s game,” Jackson said Saturday during the launch of NBA House at One Ayala in Makati.

“The platforms that the girls have now and people getting behind and putting their brands behind women’s basketball. You can see what it’s doing. It’s elevating the game and it’s putting women at the front and center.”

Jackson, who retired from the WNBL in 2024, also stressed the importance of having young athletes see professional players up close, whether in their national leagues or on the biggest stages such as the WNBA, with current-generation players Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu taking the game to greater heights.

READ: Lauren Jackson tips hat to women leading basketball’s rise

“I think it’s so important for young girls to be able to see those players playing in their national league, obviously watching the WNBA, the WNBL in Australia, but being able to see that their dreams are totally achievable,” she said.

“Making sure that the players get out into the community and work with the kids and mentor the kids. That’s the most important part.”

Jackson, a five-time Olympic medalist with Australia, is looking forward to the Fiba Women’s World Cup in Germany, now that women’s basketball has become a global phenomenon.

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“It’s going to be very exciting in Germany. Obviously we want the Opals to win a medal, but there are a lot of great teams. It’s going to be an interesting World Cup,” she said. “I think we’re going to see some new powerhouses in world basketball. Spain, France, China. I think China is going to be very good. We want a medal, obviously.”

The women’s basketball legend also enjoyed the chance to inspire young Filipino kids alongside NBA Hall of Famers Tony Parker and Jason Kidd.

“I was very fortunate to be a basketball player. I love the sport and for me it’s about being able to give back and being able to show these kids that anything is possible,” said Jackson.

“If we had opportunities like this when we were kids, it would have been amazing. I just think that the NBA does such an incredible job of getting out into communities and really exposing kids to basketball at an early age. It was very good,” she added.

“I think that any child that has a dream of playing in the NBA or the WNBA can do it. It requires a lot of hard work, but if they’ve got a dream and they’re willing to work for it, they can achieve it.”