ALBURY basketball champion Lauren Jackson is refusing to give up on her Rio ambitions until she's told there's absolutely no chance her body will be able to carry her to a fifth Olympic Games.
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The Canberra Capitals will farewell Australia's greatest female basketballer at a tribute match on Friday night, signalling the end of her WNBL career almost 20 years after she made her debut.
Jackson will be given until March to prove her fitness, admitting it would be an "absolute miracle" if she's able to make a comeback for the Australian Opals at the Olympics.
Jackson, 34, contemplated retirement when she was hospitalised with an infection last month, with her knee swelling to more than double its normal size.
She also revealed she broke down in tears at Capitals training when her injuries kept her on the sideline and took a mental toll.
However, Jackson is holding on to any faint hope she has to go out on her terms and will work with Basketball Australia over the next month before making a final call on whether she can make it to Rio.
"Rio is still my goal and we're looking towards March," Jackson said.
"I've had such a bad run [with injuries] that you've got to expect a bit of luck at some point. After the infection in my knee joint I was close to saying, 'no, I can't do this any more'.
"But I've had so much support it's been unbelievable. I'm still hopeful and I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't think there was hope. I'm going to give it a go. Whatever my decision is, I'm confident it will be the right one."
Basketball Australia has pledged its support, offering help through her rehabilitation and to ensure a smooth transition into retirement.
It is likely Jackson will need a knee replacement when she finally winds up her career after numerous operations that have cut short her glittering career.
Jackson carried the Australian flag into the opening ceremony in London in 2012, has four Olympic medals - three silver and a bronze - as well as winning WNBL, WNBA and Euro League titles in a career that started at the AIS in 1997.
Her presence would be a massive boost to the Opals' campaign in Rio, even if she isn't 100 per cent fit after almost two years of chronic knee problems.
She will start working at the AIS gym next week to rebuild strength in her leg before slowly getting back on to the court.