Basketball 2022: Liz Cambage steps away from basketball, WNBA career likely over

Liz Cambage has likely played her last WNBA game after the former Opal announced she will be temporarily stepping away from basketball to focus on ‘healing’.

Liz Cambage’s basketball career is in limbo after the controversial centre announced she will be stepping away from the sport to focus on “healing and personal growth” before providing clarification on “past rumours”.

Cambage’s stance comes less than a month after she parted ways with WNBA franchise, the Los Angeles Sparks, on the eve of the playoffs.

The former Opals star reportedly fell out with her Sparks teammates over a host of issues, including blasting fellow players in video sessions for failing to give her the ball during games.

Cambage also caused a stir when she requested to wear a retired jersey number, before turning her attention to a number that belonged to current player Amanda Zahui B.

Zahui B. declined Cambage’s request, but the Aussies insistence saw management wilt and hand over the number 1 jersey. Zahui B. only learnt the news via social media.

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Controversial former Opal Liz Cambage has announced she will take a break from basketball. Photo: Getty Images.

Cambage later stormed out of the locker room after playing her final game for the Sparks against her former team the Las Vegas Aces last month.

“I can’t do this anymore. Best of luck to you guys,” she stated before storming out, sources with knowledge of her departure told Yahoo.

Interim Sparks head coach Fred Williams said Cambage struggled with conditioning and facing double and triple-team match-ups.

The 30-year-old has now publicly responded to her surprise departure from the Sparks for the first time.

Cambage took a subtle swipe at “rumours” around her abrupt departure from the Sparks and said she would have more to say on the matter in the future.

“Playing for the Sparks was a dream come true and I’m honoured to have shared the court with such amazing ladies for as long as we did,” Cambage said via her personal Instagram account.

“I’m sorry to have left abruptly and I wish it would have ended on a different note.

“I’ve decided to step away from the league for the time being and I’m hopeful that the WNBA will do their part in creating safer environments and a stronger support system for their players.

“While I’ll miss rocking the purple and gold, I’ll be taking this time to focus on my healing and personal growth before providing clarification on past rumours.

“Thank you to all my supporters, family, and friends for all the love and light you continue to surround me with.”

Los Angeles were reportedly the only team willing to sign Cambage during the off-season, meaning there may be no takers left in the American league for the centre, who averaged 13 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 25 games with the Sparks this season.

Her WNBA career now appears over, with a stint in Asia or Europe the most likely option should she choose to return to basketball.

Cambage could also pursue her other interests, including being a DJ or appearing on adult subscription site OnlyFans, where she reportedly makes over $1.5 million a year.

Cambage’s career has been plagued by controversy in recent years.

She pulled out of Australia’s Olympic campaign last year after allegations she used a racial slur towards Nigerian players during a warm-up game.

Opals captain Jenna O’Hea confirmed in May that Cambage had told Nigerian players to: “Go back to your third world country”.

News Corp revealed she physically lashed out at Nigerian players and referred to her opponents as “monkeys,” which Cambage has denied.

The Australian has slammed the Opals and said she had “zero” interest in representing her country at this year’s World Cup in Sydney.

Originally published as Basketball 2022: Liz Cambage steps away from basketball, WNBA career likely over