Lauren Jackson honoured in the WNBA’s “W25”

The WNBA have celebrated their 25th year by announcing the “W25,” highlighting the 25 greatest players to have played their game.

Australia’s own- and now Basketball Australia’s Head of Women’s Basketball- Lauren Jackson has been included in the exclusive club of 25, honouring her highly decorated eleven-year WNBA career.

Following in the footsteps of Australian basketball greats, Michelle Timms and Luc Longley, Jackson achieved incredible success- accolades probably too long list- that include 2x WNBA Championships, 7x WNBA All Star, 3x WNBA MVP, WNBA All-Decade Team, and Defensive Player of the Year to list a few.

A one-club player, Seattle Storm retired her #15.

Jackson is also only one of two celebrated “W25” players to hail from international shores.

A selection panel made up of advocates for women’s basketball and media members was set the task of condensing a 72-name list to only 25, with nominees having to have played at least two WNBA seasons and tick off four of seven certain requirements to make the cut.

Jackson joins eight other elite names of the game in Sue Bird, Tamika Catchings, Cynthia Cooper, Yolanda Griffith, Lisa Leslie, Katie Smith, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson to be named in each milestone honorary team in the WNBA history, including the All Decade Team (2006), Top 15 Players (2011), Top 20@20 (2016) and now the W25 (2021).

Today’s announcement tips off a week of celebrations for Jackson as she becomes the first Australian to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this Saturday. Jackson will be presented by a co-W25 honorary, Sheryl Swoopes.

“W25”

Seimone Augustus, Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Tamika Catchings, Tina Charles, Cynthia Cooper, Elena Delle Donne, Sylvia Fowles, Yolanda Griffiths, Brittney Griner, Becky Hammon, Lauren Jackson, Lisa Leslie, Angel McCoughtry, Maya Moore, Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker, Ticha Penicheiro, Cappie Pondexter, Katie Smith, Breanna Stewart, Sherly Swoopes, Diana Taurasi, Tina Thompson & Lindsay Whalen.