SENDAI (FIBA World Championship for Women) - After almost a decade of wearing green and gold, the curtain has fallen on the international career of Australia's defensive kingpin Jenni Screen after the 32-year-old revealed she wouldn't be heading to the FIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey.

The double Olympian, who also played a significant role in one of the defining moments in Australian sporting history when the Opals won gold at the 2006 FIBA World Championship for Women made the decision on the recent tour of Japan.

"My overwhelming feelings are pride, humbled, fortunate and grateful to be a part of one of Australian sport's most successful teams on an international stage," declared Screen.

"It's an amazing programme, with such amazing history and now I get to become part of that history.

"The defining moments for me that encapsulate the pride I felt being part of the Opals were standing hand in hand with 11 other people on numerous occasions beside me and lining up before every game, looking up to that flag and singing the national anthem - reminding myself I'm doing something others never get the chance to."

Having hinted that she was considering retirement but still wrestling with making a final decision, Screen revealed she had confided in one of her longest serving colleagues and closest friends, Laura Hodges - eventually sending her a short but resounding SMS message last weekend.

"Last Saturday morning I woke up and sent her a text message saying six words - 'I am done. I love you' - and over the past few days, we haven't got much rest as there have been many tears shed," she said.

"It's been tough on us all because we've experienced so many highlights and made so many memories, but that can never be taken away and I'll have them to reminisce about, in that once upon a time we were pretty awesome and were fortunate to be a part of a real golden era."

Screen certainly gained a reputation not only for her defensive skills, but also as one of the most respected, loved and loyal team-mates in the Opals' programme. She was seen as the standard bearer for what the women's national team stood for.

And that didn't change when Brendan Joyce took over the reins early last year, with the play-caller insisting Screen had left an indelible mark on the team.

"She's not only been a great player for the Opals, but she has been a tremendous leader," he stated.

"All the values we talk about when it comes to being an Opal - 'Screeni' has lived those values whenever she has been part of programme and has played a leading role in establishing the culture that has made the team so successful.

"It was an honour to be able to hand her the Opals playing singlet for the last time. It was an emotional moment for everyone, but a great memory to have and tremendous moment to honour one of our great ones."

Screen had informed her colleagues of her decision last Sunday, in what proved to be an emotional speech.

"I addressed the team for one final time and told them that while I have all the medals and success being part of this programme, the most important things to me are the life-long friendships and being able to be there for my team-mates," she said.

"It was moments like having teammates tell me: 'Screeni you're the best team-mate I've ever had' that will stay with me forever.

"That's what's important to me because I've always prided myself on being a true, selfless and loving teammate.

"Regardless of the medals, if you can be one of those teammates that is what team sport is all about and what you will cherish most - making a difference to someone else's experience in the Opals.

"When he became coach, Brendan asked everyone to write if you were to retire what would be two things that you would be remembered for," Screen said.

"Mine were simple: tough and selfless. I believe I've put my body on line for this team, always gave 100 percent and was a loyal person who would always stand by my convictions.

"I'm not a superstar but rather a star within a group that through my hard work and selfless demeanour, maybe allowed others to excel and be superstars.

"My journey is complete," added Screen.

"I've taken and given all I can and now it's another athlete's opportunity to make their mark. I'm not sad that it's over. I'm grateful and very fortunate that for some reason, it happened to me."

Screen signed off her career at the elite level by hitting a deep three-pointer in the final quarter of a tour win against Mozambique, which sent the Australian bench into raptures.

FIBA