How Basketball Australia can finally cleanse themselves of Liz Cambage’s toxic ways

We won’t see Liz Cambage in the green and gold again, and it’s a massive win for Australian basketball and the globally respected Opals program, writes MATT LOGUE.

It’s official – Liz Cambage won’t play for the Australian Opals again and it’s a blessing.

Now it’s time for the legendary Lauren Jackson to come out of international retirement for Paris 2024 to continue her resuscitation of an Opals’ culture that Cambage left on life support.

Jackson’s bronze medal heroics and mentorship at last year’s home World Cup in Sydney helped the Opals restore pride in one of Australian sport’s most successful programs.

The women’s basketball team are the original pioneers for female sport in this country, paving the way for other codes through multiple medals, including a gold at the 2006 World Championships.

Former Australian basketball star Liz Cambage won’t play for the Opals again.

Sadly, Cambage’s selfish and egotistical ways did monumental damage to the Opals brand – and the program is only now recovering.

There is no doubting Liz is a gifted basketballer.

We’ve all seen how she used her seven-foot, 101 kilo frame to become arguably the world’s best women’s player.

Cambage also produced positives, like steering the Opals to a silver medal at the 2018 World Cup.

In the end, she let her ego become bigger than the team, and that’s not how the Australian national team rolls.

Never has.

The Opals have long prided themselves on a team-first mentality and Cambage’s toxic behaviour only compromised this stance.

It’s why Australian coach Sandy Brondello officially shutting the door on Liz donning the green and gold again can only be described as a major win.

The Opals don’t need Cambage’s destructive behaviour, in fact they’re better off without it.

Liz Cambage and Opals coach Sandy Brondello

This was on display at last year’s World Cup in Sydney when the Australians put on a show on home soil to win a bronze medal.

The Opals rediscovered their famed spirit and it showed on the scoreboard.

Jackson was a major part of Australia’s World Cup success, even coming off the bench.

The Hall of Famer exploded in the bronze medal game, dropping a game-high 30 points in a memorable farewell to the international stage.

Jackson declared on the day that she’d never don the green and gold again, but she recently refused to rule out an Olympic swan song next year.

LJ’s presence in Paris would be a major boost for the Opals, but the Australians are well placed even if she doesn’t play.

it’s time for the legendary Lauren Jackson to come out of international retirement for Paris 2024. Picture: Getty Images.

There are currently a raft of Aussies carving up the WNBA, including Seattle Storm centre Ezi Magbegor, who just earned her first WNBA All-Star selection.

Fellow Storm and Opals teammates Sami Whitcomb and Jade Melbourne are also in the best form of their careers.

Add in Alanna Smith (Chicago), Rebecca Allen (Connecticut), Kristy Wallace (Indiana), Cayla George (Las Vegas) and young guns like Isobel Borlase and Nyadiew Puoch – and the Opals are in a strong position heading into Paris.

Cambage won’t be there, but it doesn’t matter, the Opals’ culture has been restored and it’s a blessing.

Originally published as How Basketball Australia can finally cleanse themselves of Liz Cambage’s toxic ways