Lauren Jackson has doubled down on her decision to retire from international basketball for a second time, despite turning back the clock with a game-defining performance in a win that secured World Cup bronze for the Opals.

At her comeback World Cup, Jackson had come off the bench for limited minutes in the seven games prior to Australia's 95-65 win over Canada in the third-place match at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena.

But on Saturday, the 41-year-old dominated the paint for the first time at international level since originally leaving the Opals in 2013 and proved she still had the ability to compete on the world stage.

Jackson had 30 points against Canada, more than anyone has scored in a World Cup medal match since her own 31-point haul in the 2002 third-place playoff win against South Korea.

Following the game, Jackson said her decision to walk away from the Opals for a second time had nothing to do with fitness, ability or desire.

"It comes down to my two children," she said. "They're only babies and they've made huge sacrifices for me to be here.

"I've spent a lot of time away from them over the last couple of months and it's too hard on me and it's too hard on them."

Jackson became the face of the World Cup and played a significant role in ensuring the event was attended by more than double the number of fans as the last edition, which featured four more games.

Chairman of the local organising committee David Reid said Jackson's comeback announcement and subsequent selection to the Opals team had spiked ticket sales by approximately 125 per cent.

But despite her status as Australia's greatest-ever basketballer, the odds were stacked against Jackson as she dreamed of another chance to represent her country.

It took her the best part of a year to return to match fitness as she dropped weight, battled a plantar fascia injury and overcame mental hurdles.

"The work that she did just to get back here is unheard of," Opals coach Sandy Brondello said.

"Where she came from 11 months ago, she inspired me. She inspired the team.

"There's no player who is as mentally tough as her.

"That's the sign of greatness for me. I've coached a lot of great players and she's pretty special."

Uncertainty around her injury situation meant Jackson was not given an international swansong on her original retirement in 2016 and the chance to bow out on her own terms made the seven-time WNBA All-Star emotional following Saturday's game.

"I'm a little bit blown away," she said. "I'm over the moon that we got the bronze medal and that we ended the tournament this way in front of our home crowd.

"To say goodbye this way is just magnificent. I could never have imagined it."