Lauren Jackson

Lauren Jackson stretched nearly six-and-a-half feet into the air, but the shadow she cast over basketball in her native Australia is immeasurable. The most decorated basketball Aussie in history garnered three silver medals in the Olympics to go along with one bronze. Her outstanding performances in the World Championships equated to gold in 2006 and bronze medals in 1998 and 2002. The four-time MVP of the WNBL – Australia’s elite federation for women’s basketball – also earned three regular season MVP awards in the WNBA. A three-time scoring champion, Jackson won two WNBA championships with the Seattle Storm and was named Finals MVP in 2010. The seven-time All-Star led the WNBA in rebounding in 2007 in what was perhaps her greatest individual season taking home Defensive Player of the Year honors and leading the league in points per game. Success followed Jackson across the globe as she captured league championships in Spain, Russia, and Australia.