Andrew Bogut reveals Liz Cambage’s slur to Nigerian team much worse than first thought

Andrew Gaze has joined Andrew Bogut in slamming Liz Cambage over a taunt to members of the Nigerian women’s team and the superstar’s latest allegations about Basketball Australia.

Aussie basketball legends Andrew Bogut and Andrew Gaze have slammed Liz Cambage after it was revealed she told members of the Nigerian women’s team in a Tokyo Olympics practice match to “go back to your Third World country”.

Bogut claimed the taunt made by the fellow Aussie basketballer was far worse than what had been publicised on Sunday.

“You’ve just got the PG version. There was much more than that. But look, I’m happy someone’s finally come out and said it,” Bogut told 2GB on Monday.

“It is beyond despicable what was said.

“There’s much more in there that you can’t say on radio … there’s some other words used that I would never repeat, that I’d never even say, to be honest with you.”

The former NBA star added he did not think Cambage should bother addressing the taunt.

“I’m sure it’s someone else’s fault as to why she said it, so no,” he said.

Andrew Bogut says Liz Cambage’s comments were ‘beyond despicable.’. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Bogut hit out at Cambage at the time, dubbing her comments – which he had heard off the record – as “absolutely disgusting”.

The Opals wanted the Cambage feud to disappear, but when she accused the team of a lack of support, they had no option but to reveal her past.

That’s when recently retired captain Jenna O’Hea went on the ABC’s Offsiders programme to confirm what her former teammate and childhood friend had said to the Nigerian team during the pre-Olympic scrimmage in Las Vegas.

Gaze also expressed his disappointment about the Cambage situation, especially her claim that the Opals program didn’t support her.

“The thing that really grates me is when she says she feels supported in Los Angeles at a level that wasn’t there with the Australian team,” Gaze said on SEN Radio in Melbourne.

the truth will always come to light, and it ain’t even dawn yet 😌

— Elizabeth Cambage (@ecambage) May 8, 2022

“That suggestion she wasn’t supported by Australia, the Opals, or Basketball Australia, which is highly offensive.”

Gaze has also heard the rumours that Cambage’s abuse towards the Nigerian team was more detailed and degrading than just, ‘Go back to your Third World Country’.

He also believes Basketball Australia and team management buried the details of the incident in Las Vegas in an attempt to convince her to play in future tournaments.

“My understanding is there is even more to it and more disgusting than what was actually said,” he said.

“There is no reason why I shouldn’t (believe that). It’s been said by a number of people I think would know.

“I also think (kept under wraps to help Cambage) in the prospect that perhaps some time in the future she may understand the mistakes she has made and perhaps there might be some type of reconciliation.

“That she would be available to play because there is no doubting her basketball talent is elite and very unique.

Liz Cambage pulled out of the Opals Olympic campaign in the days after the practice match against Nigeria due to mental health concerns. Picture: Getty Images

“There are not too many 6 foot 10 girls running around who can do what she does. It’s nothing about what she does on the court, but how she is as a teammate is what was called into question.”

Gaze previously held a role on the Basketball Australia board, and even had a conversation with Cambage at one point.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t have that conversation just one-on-one because her agent had to be there,” he said.

“We went through some of the issues that were clearly apparent about where your priorities need to be and there was a complete lack of understanding that maybe I’m not wrong.

“She refused to see that her behaviour was not there.

“In addition, there was some behaviour that Liz had that under any reasonable judgement there would’ve been some significant repercussions.

“She was supported not just by me but others along the way, so to say she wasn’t supported is unfair, it is grossly unfair.”

However, Cambage tweeted on Monday “the truth will always come to light, and it ain’t even dawn yet”.

The former Opals star, who now plays for the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA, was seemingly unfazed by her taunt being publicised over the weekend.

She led the Sparks to victory against the Indiana Fever on Monday (AEST), scoring 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

Sparks fans have started using the term ‘Liz Angeles’ to term her new chapter, after she signed on with the Sparks for the 2022 season.

Originally published as Andrew Bogut reveals Liz Cambage’s slur to Nigerian team much worse than first thought