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Lauren Jackson says she’s spent so much time off the court battling knee trouble that she doesn’t even feel like a basketballer any more.
The hopes of Australia’s greatest female player participating in a fifth Olympics hang on her recovery from yet another injury setback.
Jackson is sidelined from WNBL action until at least January after her problematic knee reacted badly to an increase in training workload with her Canberra Capitals side.
The 34-year-old four-time Olympian says after nine rounds of surgery, mostly in the last two years, she’s spent more time in hospital and physio than on court.
“It’s kept me off the court for so long now that I don’t even feel like a basketballer any more,” Jackson said.
She says she will push on with rehabilitation again and make a call in February about whether she can play in Rio or retire.
“At the moment it’s not going my way but I’ve got to keep going and see where it takes me,” Jackson said in Melbourne on Wednesday.
“I have to stay positive and keep persisting with it and doing what I can and hopefully it works out and if it doesn’t I know I’ve done my best to try and get back out there.”
Jackson has spearheaded the Opals since making her national debut back in 1998 and said while she desperately wanted to chase an elusive gold medal in Rio, was resigned that it may not be possible.
“Every morning I wake up and retirement is one of the things I have to think about and some days it’s closer than other days.
“But I’m committed to giving rehab one more go and if it’s not successful, I’ve given it everything and at the end of the day I’ve had a great career.”
The two-time WNBA champion felt the Opals would be strong even without her.
Another key player Penny Taylor has recovered from her knee surgery and is playing in China, as is Liz Cambage, who missed their Olympic qualification games when she was benched for missing a training camp.
“She’s back playing and looking good so she should be good for the Olympics,” Jackson said of Taylor.
“With Liz back in the side, the girls are looking good and it’s really exciting because I think Rio is our best chance of getting a gold medal.”