Inside story: Why Liz Cambage’s Olympic bubble burst as sources close to camp deny her claims

Several teammates discussed Liz Cambage’s Opals future with team management before she pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics. This is the inside story of the drama.

Australian basketball star Liz Cambage burst the Olympic team’s Covid bubble on several occasions, hitting the town in Las Vegas and leaving the hotel for long periods of time, according to sources close to the camp.

Other players were also so disappointed with Cambage’s behaviour they discussed her future with team management before the star player announced her withdrawal, citing mental health issues.

Cambage released a video on Friday on her personal Instagram story denying she had broken Covid protocols.

The four-time WNBA All-Star released a personal Instagram video to say she has reached breaking point as she called out “lies” surrounding her shock Olympic exit.

But multiple sources close to the team allege Cambage did leave the team hotel and her behaviour at the game against Nigeria this week had upset some of the players.

Australian basketballer Liz Cambage has decided to pull out of the Tokyo Olympics and posted her reason why on her Instagram account Picture: Instagram @ecambage

In her video Cambage confirmed she was involved in a physical altercation and verbal spat against Nigeria, saying: “Yeah, things got heated in the Nigeria game. There was a physical altercation and there were words exchanged, but I’m hearing things that aren’t true at all.”

It’s understood both Nigeria and the Opals have a copy of the video of the altercation. The WNBA star also denied she went outside the Opals team bubble, declaring: “I’ve been in here (hotel room) and the only time I left this goddamn bubble was for the All-Star game.”

Liz Cambage has pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics.

However, multiple sources close to the playing group said that Cambage had been seen out in Las Vegas and wasn’t in the team hotel for long periods. The incident against Nigeria and other behavioural issues have privately frustrated Opals teammates for some time, prompting player-led discussions around the centre’s future, including her potential removal from the team.

Cambage also expanded on her personal battles in her Insta story.

“I’ve been having breakdowns in the carpark at Whole Foods. Non-stop panic attacks. Hyperventilating. At the thought of going into one of the most high-pressure situations, that is already in a bubble. With no fans, no friends. I’ve never played without fans.”

Despite the unwanted attention and losing the side’s best player on the eve of the Games, the Opals pulled off a remarkable win over Team USA in their final exhibition game yesterday. The 70-67 victory was Australia’s first win over the Americans since 2010, and a huge confidence boost that they can beat the best in Cambage’s absence.

Opals coach Sandy Brondello, who publicly supported Cambage in her mental health struggles after the USA win, said: “It hasn’t been easy, but it shows the character of this team.”