MELBOURNE (Victoria) - Lauren Jackson is one of the greatest players in basketball history. Now the international superstar is going to do her best for the sport off the court after being named by Basketball Australia as the new Head of Women in Basketball.

According to the game's governing body Down Under, Jackson will provide leadership across the Chemist Warehouse WNBL operations, promotions and marketing, and stakeholder engagement.

"After playing for two decades, I'm so pleased to be able to continue to play a part in basketball as an administrator," Jackson said at her unveiling during a Basketball Australia press conference.

"We have outstanding players in this country and I want to ensure our place on the world stage remains strong while giving all young players the opportunity to play and love basketball."

Jackson helped fire the Opals to the world title in 2006 in Brazil. She played in four FIBA Women's Basketball World Cups, as well as four Olympics, winning a host of medals. Jackson was a four-time WNBL MVP in Australia, and also claimed numerous honors overseas.

She was a three-time WNBA MVP, a 2010 WNBA Finals MVP and a three-time EuroLeague Women champion.

“WE HAVE OUTSTANDING PLAYERS IN THIS COUNTRY AND I WANT TO ENSURE OUR PLACE ON THE WORLD STAGE REMAINS STRONG WHILE GIVING ALL YOUNG PLAYERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY AND LOVE BASKETBALL.”- Lauren Jackson

Jackson has been extremely busy in recent times. 

A Basketball Australia Hall of Fame inductee, Jackson served as the Assistant General Manager for the Deakin Melbourne Boomers and also worked with the ACT Government as a Senior Project Officer.

She is the Managing Director of Empowered Athletes Transition Program and is also completing a Master of Business Administration.

Jackson and Australia won the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 13 years ago in Brazil

Tal Karp, an Australian Olympic soccer player who is now a lawyer and corporate consultant, has also been brought on board as Principal Advisor to Women in Basketball.

She will support Jackson and Basketball Australia in developing a whole of sport strategy focusing on women and girls.

"Basketball is an exciting, global game with more than one million participants in Australia," Karp said. "I’m passionate about providing opportunities for women and girls to participate – as players, but also as coaches, referees and administrators."

Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Jerril Rechter says this is a big moment for the sport.

"Our Australian Opals and the WNBL competition are very strong, but we know there is so much more we can do to support women in our game," he said. "Women in sport both here in Australia and indeed globally have enjoyed a wave of recognition in recent years and we want to ensure women in basketball continue to lead the way.

"I welcome Lauren and Tal and look forward to the exciting period ahead."

FIBA