Basketball On The Internet.

LOOKING, moving and playing as though she was a decade younger, 43-year-old Lauren Jackson and Opals Olympics hopefuls Izzy Borlase, Darcee Garbin and Alice Kunek last night iced world No.2 China 94-66 to strongly push their cases for Paris Games selection.

Realistically of course, only Jackson and Borlase have any real shot because the team's coach Sandy Brondello, overseas coaching New York Liberty in the WNBA, would never dream of omitting veterans such as Cayla George, Marianna Tolo or current captain Tess Madgen.

Considering most expect our "magnificent seven" playing WNBA right now - namely Ezi Magbegor, Steph Talbot, Bec Allen, Alanna Smith, Sami Whitcomb, Jade Melbourne and Kristy Wallace - to be walk-up starts, then only five positions in the final 12 remain.

Jackson, looking fitter, faster and stronger than when she scored 30 points to beat Canada in the 2022 FIBA World Cup bronze medal playoff, should be among the first players selected for Paris.

She remains a one-of-a-kind GOAT of the game in Australia, last night sprinting up the floor, blocking a shot, twice stealing the ball while scoring 13 points and still presenting the opposition with a gnarly keyway opponent to be feared and revered.

Kunek was in the starting lineup and rewarded stand-in coach Cheryl Chambers with a nine-point first quarter on 4-of-4 shooting. She finished with an equal team-high 19 points at 80 per cent, 2-of-3 threes, plus a couple of boards and assists, then a steal to boot. 

Borlase was red hot, joining Kunek as Australia's leading scorer, her 19 points at 67 per cent, 3-of-6 triples, three rebounds, three assists and two steals rounding out a complete performance.

Garbin finished on 15 points off 6-of-8 shooting, nailing 3-of-4 threes with five rebounds, an assist and two steals.

She reminded many of the player Cayla George used to be. George and Marianna Tolo were at their best in Brendan Joyce's 2014 FIBA World Cup campaign, lifting after an injured Liz Cambage was ruled out on the eve of the tournament.

Tolo led the Opals' scoring with 12.2 points a game and George was top five with 7.2 as they secured a bronze medal in Turkey. Tolo's 5.2 boards was the team's best, George's 4.5 right up there.

They were great - but it was a decade ago and at 35, they're not moving as if they were 25, unlike Jackson who remains a marvel and a modern-day miracle of commitment and devotion to success.

Brondello's reign through a 2018 World Cup silver medal, abortive Tokyo Olympics campaign and bronze medal 2022 World Cup has shown she rarely gambles on youth, so the chances of Jackson, Borlase, Garbin, Kunek and someone such as Georgia Amoore comprising the incoming quintet is zero.

Shaking China by the scruff of the neck, winning every quarter and especially the decisive 26-13 third, showed nothing but positive signs for the players battling for Paris spots. Pity no-one is paying attention.

AUSTRALIA OPALS 94 (Kunek, Borlase 19, Garbin 15, Jackson 13, Rocci 10; George 8 rebs; Rocci 4 assts) d CHINA 66 (Siyu 21, Xu 11, Shuyu 10; Xu 11 rebs; Yuan 3 assts) at John Cain Arena.