The WNBA returns to Australian screens this season – with a host of games LIVE, FREE and in HD on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.
Jackson, the first Australian player to be inducted into the basketball hall of fame, believes Cambage can help the Las Vegas Aces avenge their finals defeat from 2020, a year in which the 29-year-old sat out due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
The Australian has averaged 17 points and 6.5 rebounds through her first two games of the season and Jackson believes it’s just the beginning for both Cambage and compatriot Ezi Magbegor.
“I think Liz is probably going to have an MVP year,” Jackson said during the latest episode of TAB Courtside 1v1 on SBS.
“I feel like they're (Las Vegas) probably going to win the championship and she'll MVP out, and I can’t wait to watch it.
“But then again, you see Ezi in pre-season and the numbers that she's putting up… we saw a different Ezi in the WNBL last season.
“I think we saw a more aggressive Ezi, a more confident Ezi and now she's over there doing it in the WNBA.
“That's sort of like ‘watch this space’ for me because of her athleticism; the game just comes to her so naturally, so it's going to be fun to watch what she does because I think she's incredible.”
Jackson, who won the WNBA championship on two occasions with the Seattle Storm, also has high hopes for teen sensation Shyla Heal – the 8th overall pick taken by the Chicago Sky in last month’s draft.
The young guard is the daughter of Boomers great Shane and has already been tipped to run the point for Australia in what promises to be a "massive" career ahead.
“Obviously she's got basketball blood too, so you know she's got that passion, she's got that desire,” Jackson added.
“It's fun just to watch her go against athletes that are older than her.
“She's also on the same team as two of the all-time greats in (Courtney) Vandersloot and Candace (Parker) as well so she's got some great leadership there.
“But I think she's going to learn a hell of a lot over there too. The only way is up for her, she's going to be the next point guard for the Opals no doubt and it’s a massive career ahead for her.”
Jackson discussed numerous topics with Hustwaite, including the following:
0:37 - Proud and passionate to be announced as ambassador for next year’s FIBA Women’s World Cup in Australia
1:01 - Oz94 paved the way for two decades of Australian women’s basketball. Only fitting 2021 does the same
1:55 - Recollections of Oz94, was 12-13 years old watching from home
2:12 - My brother hated basketball but was in love with Michele Timms
2:35 - I wanted to be that (the Opals)
2:46 - First time I saw Aussie hoops on TV here in Australia and it was very, very special
3:12 - If I had to pinpoint one tournament from my career it would be the 2000 Sydney Olympics
3:54 - Winning a gold medal at the 2006 FIBA women’s World Cup
4:01 - Penny Taylor had an amazing tournament
4:14 - It was a great group and such a magical time
5:00 - Once an Opal, always an Opal
5:35 - My mentors played in Oz94. Then, a couple of years later, they were putting their arm around me saying: "C’mon mate, you’re the next Opal"
6:07 - I love my job today as head of women’s basketball at Basketball Australia
6:24 - It’s fun to watch the current Opals
7:07 - The sport is everything to me
7:19 - I was at my first basketball game when I was 10 days old
7:50 - I’m confident I’m the right person to help get the WNBL to the next level, it’s taken me a while to say that
8:06 - Incredible to see all the Aussies currently playing over in the WNBA
8:12 - It’s Liz Cambage’s MVP year
8:35 - Watch this space on Ezi Magbegor
8:56 - Shyla Heal is an exciting prospect
9:45 - It’s a journey to an Olympic medal. It’s not an easy tournament to get though and with Covid and present challenges, it’s going to be tough
10:20 - I’m an emotional spectator
11:16 - Life as mum to two boys
Jackson's interview is part of an SBS series - TAB Courtside 1v1, which gives fans a chance to get to know more about the unique personalities from the NBA, WNBA, NBL and WNBL, which help shape basketball in Australia.
Hustwaite, who has been covering all levels of Australian basketball for the past 13 years as a reporter, commentator and journalist, will helm the weekly show – every Thursday at 7pm (AEST) via - where she interviews stars of the past, present and future.
SBS will again broadcast multiple regular-season NBA games per week in HD on SBS VICELAND and streamed live via SBS On Demand. Plus, every game of the upcoming 2020-21 NBL season will be LIVE, FREE and in HD via SBS On Demand, with select games also live on SBS VICELAND.
