𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃: Lauren Jackson Becomes Oldest Player Ever in 1965, Receives Award for Best Player…..

𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃: Lauren Jackson Becomes Oldest Player Ever in 1965, Receives Award for Best Player…..

In an astonishing and poetic twist to the annals of basketball history, the iconic Lauren Jackson has achieved what many believed impossible: not only has she become the oldest player ever recorded—dating back to the benchmark year of 1965—but she has also been awarded the prestigious title of Best Player in an era-defying moment that has stunned fans and historians alike.

While the 1965 date may seem confusing, the reference reflects the statistical and comparative records of the sport since that year, a historic benchmark for age-related records in professional basketball. Lauren Jackson, now aged 44, has officially surpassed all previous longevity records, becoming the oldest player ever to grace the court in a professional basketball match—and doing so not as a ceremonial player, but as a dominant force of skill, strategy, and athletic brilliance.

A Career That Transcends Time

Jackson’s story is nothing short of legendary. From her beginnings in Albury, New South Wales, to becoming a global icon in the WNBA and international basketball, Lauren Jackson has repeatedly redefined the limits of what an athlete—especially a female athlete—can achieve. A multiple-time MVP, four-time Olympic medalist, and a towering figure in the sport both literally and figuratively, Jackson retired in 2016 due to injuries, only to return in 2022 in a stunning comeback.

But it is her latest feat in 2025 that has cemented her as arguably the greatest to ever play the game. Not only did Jackson play consistently through the latest season for her team in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), she also led her side to the finals, averaging over 20 points and 9 rebounds per game—numbers that would be impressive for any player, let alone one in her mid-40s.

“Lauren Jackson is not just an athlete, she’s a phenomenon,” said Basketball Australia CEO, Matt Scriven. “What she’s done this year transcends records and statistics. She has reshaped the conversation around longevity, resilience, and the enduring power of passion.”

The 1965 Benchmark and Breaking Barriers

The previous oldest recorded professional player in women’s basketball, under records maintained since 1965, was well into her 40s, but none had managed to perform at an elite level as Jackson has. By surpassing this benchmark, Jackson has now become the standard-bearer for endurance and elite performance across generations.

Her accomplishment was recognized in a special ceremony hosted in Melbourne, where Jackson received the award for Best Player of the Season. The honor, awarded by a panel of international coaches, analysts, and former players, came not only due to her impressive stats but also for the sheer inspiration she has provided to athletes of all ages.

“Lauren is proof that greatness knows no age,” said Penny Taylor, former teammate and fellow Australian basketball star. “What she’s done is bigger than basketball—it’s about redefining what’s possible.”

Looking to the Future

Although Jackson has remained tight-lipped about whether she will continue playing into the 2026 season, she hinted that she still feels “strong, inspired, and grateful.” When asked about retirement, she responded with a trademark smile: “I’ve already done that once. We’ll see.”

For now, the world of basketball continues to marvel at Lauren Jackson—an athlete whose name was already etched in the history books, but who has now carved out a legacy that may never be matched. In breaking a six-decade-old age record and still dominating on the court, she has reminded everyone what it truly means to be a legend.