Rachel's Story
Signed up by the Australian Institute of Sport in 2007, a 15-year-old Rachel Jarry showed her potential as a future national star, averaging over 11 points and 5 rebounds in her debut season in the WNBL. Jarry went on to win the WNBL Championship with the Bulleen Boomers before she was drafted into the American WNBA in 2011. Having been selected onto her first national team that same year, Jarry postponed her move to the WNBA to focus on securing selection on the 2012 Australian Olympic Team.
When she made her Olympic debut in London, Jarry, 20, was the youngest member of the Australian women’s basketball team. The Aussies defeated China in the quarter-final (75-60) and faced the USA earlier than expected for a berth in the gold medal match. As they had done in three previous Olympic campaigns, the world number one USA beat the Australians (86-73) and went on to take gold over the French. Australia faced Russia for the bronze, winning 83-74 to continue Australia’s strong Olympic record in women’s basketball.
Following London she made her WNBA debut for the Minnesota Lynx who which went on to become 2013 WNBA Champions. She was one of the national side’s standouts at the 2014 World Cup, finishing as the team’s fourth highest scorer as the side won the bronze medal. Jarry would help Australia qualify for Rio by winning the 2015 Oceania Championships and then got her second chance at Olympic competition in Rio.
Australia opened their Rio campaign against hosts Brazil and after trailing by ten at the first break, the side fought back to secure a 84-66 win. A close victory over Turkey was followed up with another dominant 18 point victory over France. Facing Japan in their fourth match, the side was down by 16 early in the fourth quarter fighting back to claim a 92-86 win. Another comeback win, this time against Belarus, ensured the Aussies finished the group undefeated to set up a quarter-final clash with Serbia. The match was back and forth the whole way with Serbia claiming a two point lead with just 10 seconds to go. The Aussies had the chance to level the match but couldn’t score as the side's run of five straight women’s Olympic basketball medals came to an end.
Jarry was one of the side’s best in the defeat finishing with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. She averaged 5 points 2 rebounds and 1.7 assists a game throughout the tournament.
