Women's Hoops Blog

Jayda Evans covers college and pro women's basketball. While its her first year on the Washington beat, she has covered the Storm since its inception. She'll offer observations, critiques, occasional off-beat tales and answers to select e-mail inquires. Evans also has written a book on the Storm and women's hoops, called "Game On!"

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January 6, 2009 2:04 PM

Storm star Lauren Jackson: "It's about the money."

Posted by Jayda Evans

Lauren Jackson, the international star power forward, hasn't revealed any decisions about whether she'll return to the WNBA, but she agreed to make a comeback in her native Australian basketball league. According to the country's The Canberra Times, Jackson (pictured right with ball) signed yesterday to play in the WNBL, but not with her former Canberra Capitals and with the Sydney Flames instead.

She lives in Sydney and said in the article that it makes sense for her to play there. Jackson, 27, just spent three weeks at her family home in Albury and is returning to Moscow to continue play with Spartak, where she makes about $800,000.

Jackson, who wants to continue school when she returns to Australia to play, most likely won't make her Sydney debut until 2012 in order to pursue big money overseas the next three years.

"It's more about the money now than it's ever been because I can set myself up," Jackson told the paper.

Well, that kind of statement doesn't sound good for Seattle's hopes of returning their leading scorer (20.2). Jackson, who's healthy after right ankle surgery, can only sign for $99,500 this season and if health is a concern to continue playing longer, a summer break would suit her best. Especially if she wants to keep trucking until the 2012 London Games. But when asked about that competition, Jackson said she could even see that far in advance -- noting that injuries play a part.

When Jackson does return to the WNBL, it'll be funny to witness her career move full-circle. She used to comment how she was the young pup among all of these older players and in three years, she'll be the age she once teased (30).

One thing is certain. With the WNBL thinking about moving to a June-September schedule, Jackson definitely won't be playing in the WNBA in three years. So, mark this as the beginning of your countdown to get used to pro basketball in America without the Aussie. You knew this day was coming.

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Comments

Three more years with Lauren in Seattle would be great! Posted on January 6, 2009 at 3:31 PM by StormFanNo1. Jump to comment

Jayda, i don't know who chose the photo of lj and kray, and i know it wasn't done on purpose, but it's effing brilliant...direct... Posted on January 6, 2009 at 3:43 PM by scullyfu1. Jump to comment

Jayda: dang, girl. i said the picture was a brilliant tie-in. no reason to go all postal just because i didn't know that you picked it. Posted on January 6, 2009 at 8:31 PM by scullyfu1. Jump to comment

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