Michele Timms has urged the Opals to unleash Lauren Jackson in Brazil as the 42-year-old's "incredible, unfathomable" third-coming draws closer to a fifth Olympics.
The world No.3 side will play hosts Brazil (No.8), Germany (No.25) and Serbia (No.10) from Friday morning (AEDT), the top three of the four-team tournament progressing to the Paris Games from July.
Jackson would be 43 by then, the WNBA and WNBL legend forcing her way into Sandy Brondello's squad on the back of fine recent form for Southside Flyers.
She is one of eight in the squad who won bronze at the Sydney 2022 World Cup, Jackson lighting it up with 30 points in the bronze medal game against Canada.
But she played less than three minutes in a two-point semi-final loss to China and was used sparingly by Brondello until the final game.
"At the World Cup, you could see she was upset by the game before, barely playing," Timms told AAP.
"She'd deny this but you could see she played with a chip on her shoulder in that bronze game, like she took that into it and put it all out there, thinking it was her last game.
"How Sandy uses her will be very interesting."
Timms won silver with Jackson at Sydney's 2000 Games and has stayed in touch with her former teammate as she contemplated a crack at a fifth Olympics.
"It must have been at tough decision; (missing her) son's first day of school and birthdays," she said.
"It was well thought out and, given what she's gone through, she'd be thinking she's not going over there to sit on the bench."
The 2022 World Cup was to be her farewell, Jackson having come out of retirement that was forced on her by cripping knee pain before the 2016 Rio Games.
She had played the four previous Olympics, medalling in all of them and also leading the Opals to a World Cup gold in 2006, also in Brazil.
"I can't believe it; it's incredible, unfathomable and putting myself in her shoes, I couldn't possibly," Timms said of Jackson's longevity.
"It's inspirational for everyone and at the start of season I wasn't sure but her form recently has been really good.
"She's looked agile, like a 30-year-old, obviously had her mind set and played her way into the squad.
"She's such a good leader and it's such a crucial tournament because if it all goes wrong there is no Olympics."
Timms also hopes to see plenty of Townsville Fire's rookie guard Steph Reid and rates fellow new faces Jade Melbourne and Isobel Borlase as ready to make an impact.
Steph Talbot, Kristy Wallace, Darcee Garbin and Alice Kunek were all unavailable for selection.
"This is a Sandy special. They're unprepared, not full strength, some coming off injuries but she's so good at managing that and working her magic," she said.
OPALS SQUAD: Tess Madgen, Cayla George, Marianna Tolo, Lauren Jackson, Ezi Magbegor, Bec Allen, Sara Blicavs, Sami Whitcomb, Alanna Smith, Jade Melbourne, Isobel Borlase, Steph Reid.
