Isaac
Years ago
LJ wins Maher Medal
Following her Commonwealth and World Championship Gold Medals, defencejobs Opals Captain Lauren Jackson has been awarded the Maher Medal as Australia's Female International Player of the Year for 2006.For the few that might be wondering why Brett Maher is dishing out medals in the womens ranks:
Jackson, 25, has now been the recipient of the Maher Medal an unprecedented 5 times in its 19-year history, winning the medal for the first time in 1999 at the tender age of 18.
"I am very excited and honoured to receive this award," Jackson told Basketball Australia from South Korea.
"The Opals have had such a wonderful year."
Prior to the Commonwealth Games Gold Medal in March 2006, Jackson also led the Australian women's team at the Opals World Challenge and was named MVP of the tournament, where Australia defeated the United States for the first time since 1998.
At the 2006 FIBA World Championship for women last September in Brazil, Jackson finished the tournament as the overall top scorer of all nations with a 21.25 points per game average over 8 games.
Jackson also finished as the tournament's top defensive rebounder with an average 7.25 rebounds per game.
The Maher Medal is named after husband and wife team Tom and Robyn Maher, one of Australia's greatest sporting families who were involved in 566 games for Australia as either a player or a coach and played an instrumental role in Australia's rise to world basketball prominence.
The medal recipient is determined by a vote from all Opals team members after each game, with the player receiving the most votes awarded the Maher Medal.
