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Cambage denies racial slur as fresh footage emerges of violent incident
By Jon Pierik
Former Australian basketball star Liz Cambage has denied she racially abused Nigerian players in a pre-Olympics warm-up game in 2021, as new footage emerged of the violent altercation which led to her leaving the Opals.
A day after Cambage, now 31, dropped a bombshell that she was planning to play for Nigeria, sparking strong opposition from Nigerian players, almost nine minutes of footage was posted on social media of her in that now infamous clash against Nigeria in Las Vegas.
The incident led to her departing the Opals on the eve of the Tokyo Olympics because of mental-health reasons, and later being reprimanded by Basketball Australia.
The footage shows Cambage’s elbow to the head of Nigerian centre Victoria Macaulay during the scrimmage. Macaulay then runs at Cambage on the Australian bench and retaliates with an open arm to her head.
Cambage is then held back by her Opals teammates in a bid to avoid escalating the issue. She heads to the baseline near the team bench, where then Opals captain Jenna O’Hea appears to have a frank discussion with her.
Cambage, whose father is Nigerian, took to the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday to give her version of events.
“In light of the circulating footage from the 2021 scrimmage between the Opals and D’Tigress, I want to provide clarity on my recollection of the events. Before the scrimmage, I had expressed concerns to Opals staff about the unacceptable playing conditions within the COVID ‘bubble’ they were imposing,” Cambage said.
“The circulating video portrays a highly physical game with no officiating, resulting in me being attacked and sustaining a concussion. Contrary to false claims, I did not use racial slurs or refer to anyone as a monkey, which is evident from the footage.
“To set the record straight, I never stated that I had officially joined the Nigerian national team. Instead, I expressed my interest in joining the team and representing Nigeria. I had discussions with staff members about the necessary steps to become eligible, and thought I was doing them. I extend my best wishes to all players on D’Tigress.”
Veteran Nigerian women’s basketballer Promise Amukamara took aim at Cambage’s claims made in a Bleacher Report interview, tweeting: “I’m sorry but this is False. Lol. She called us Monkeys & told us to go back to our country. Yes she said that!
“Literally everyone from both teams have the same story BUT her, so y’all do the math!”
O’Hea also previously claimed Cambage made the alleged statements.
Cambage hasn’t played for Australia since she allegedly told Nigerian players to “go back to their third-world country”.
Her reported unwillingness to follow the protocols required in the COVID bubble wore thin on teammates, exacerbating the divide in team culture between her and what the Opals wanted.
“My dedication to fostering positive change in the sport I love remains unwavering. I have always taken pride in representing the game throughout my career,” Cambage said.
Basketball Australia was contacted for comment. Earlier, it told this masthead on Tuesday that it had not received any paperwork from Cambage seeking to change her country of allegiance.
Opals coach Sandy Brondello had already said Cambage would not be picked for the Paris Olympics next year. The Opals, third in last year’s home World Cup, have undergone a massive cultural change since Cambage departed.
The one-time dominant centre, who had been the key player on the Opals, suggested she may return to the court soon.
Under fire: Liz Cambage during her short time with the Los Angeles Sparks.Credit: Getty
“I also send well wishes to all my former teammates. Looking forward to seeing you all on the court,” Cambage said.
In the Bleacher Report interview, Cambage said she had “struggled a lot with the Australian team”.
“I’ve said it constantly. I’ve dealt with teammates with ‘blackface’, I’ve dealt with coaches lying, coaches pushing other athletes to talk badly about me in the media. There’s been a lot,” she claimed.
The “blackface” incident was in 2016 when teammate Alice Kunek was forced to apologise for featuring in a photograph with her face painted brown.
“I really hope Australia releases me and FIBA allows it because my fans miss me playing. I’d love to do another Olympics. Paris would be fab. There is nothing like an Olympic village, it is one of the most inspirational places ever,” Cambage said.
“My last Olympics was hideous. Rio Olympics was horrible. Rio Olympics was one of the worst times of my life and that’s a reflection of the coaching staff and the team.
“I would love to start fresh with teammates that understand me, look like me, appreciate me and respect me. I have been talking with the Nigerian coach ... he has my back.”
Nigeria is now coached by Rena Wakama, who created history at the weekend by becoming the first female coach to win the Afrobasket championship when she led the national team to victory over Senegal. Wakama replaced Otis Hughley, who exited last year, but was only replaced on June 30.
Cambage has not been signed by a Women’s National Basketball League club for the Australian 2023-24 season. She departed the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA in acrimonious circumstances last season.
Boomers veteran Dellavedova cut from World Cup squad
Roy Ward
Australian Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has made one of the toughest calls of his coaching career in leaving Matthew Dellavedova off his roster for this month’s FIBA World Cup.
The Boomers announced on Wednesday night that Dellavedova and New Zealand Breakers guard Will McDowell-White were the latest cuts from the team with the two guards not joining the team for the three games at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne next week.
Dellavedova’s omission after such decorated service follows the decision to leave veteran centre Aron Baynes out of the extended squad and is another sign of the depth and talent in the current squad.
Matthew Dellavedova playing for the Boomers against China last year.Credit: Getty Images
Young NBA stars Josh Giddey, Josh Green and Dyson Daniels have all made an impact at camp and those three plus Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Chris Goulding, Matisse Thybulle and Dante Exum will fill the minutes at the point guard and wing positions.
Goorjian had earlier flagged that he was preparing to make the toughest decisions of his coaching career as he shapes his final side for the world cup held in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
“It’s going to be the most difficult thing I’ve done in coaching and I’ve done this for a long time,” Goorjian said earlier on Wednesday.
“We’ve had 18 elite players here that you have to get to 12.”
The squad is now down to 13 players with NBA centre Jock Landale batting an ankle injury which will keep him from playing in Melbourne but still see him available for the world cup where he is expected to be a starter.
Thon Maker, Sam Froling and Keanu Pinder were released from the squad last week.
Dellavedova, 32, has been a tireless servant of the national team since he broke into the side during his time at US college St Marys and he remained a key player at three Olympics and two World Cups including on the bronze medal team at the Tokyo Olympics.
Earlier in the off season, Dellavedova announced he would return to NBL club Melbourne United this season to give himself the best chance to press his claims for a place at Paris 2024 although he also acknowledged he would continue to face battle to stay in the side and he was going to work as hard as he could to stay in.
The Boomers have not named their final 12-man roster and will take 13 players to Melbourne to cover for Landale’s injury before naming their roster and heading to Asia for their final preparations and group games.
SQUAD: Xavier Cooks, Dyson Daniels, Dante Exum, Josh Giddey, Chris Goulding, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Nick Kay, Jock Landale (*injured), Patty Mills, Duop Reath, Matisse Thybulle, Jack White.
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