Former WNBA star Liz Cambage recently took to social media to provide clarity on her previous remarks regarding the controversial incident involving the Nigerian national team in 2021.
In a sit-down interview with Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report, Cambage addressed concerns about the playing conditions within the COVID “Bubble” imposed by the Opals staff before the scrimmage took place.
She emphasized that the circulating video of the match depicted a highly physical game with no officiating, which led to her being attacked and sustaining a concussion.
Cambage wanted to debunk any false claims of her using racial slurs or derogatory language, as the footage clearly shows the absence of such remarks.
Moreover, Cambage clarified that she never formally joined the Nigerian national team but expressed her interest in representing Nigeria instead.
She had discussions with the team’s staff members, believing that she was taking the necessary steps to become eligible.
Cambage expressed her well wishes to all players on the Nigerian team. In her interview with Rooks, Cambage refuted allegations of using racial slurs towards Nigerian players and claimed that she had initiated the process of leaving Australia to play for Nigeria.
However, a report from The Sunday Telegraph in May 2022 contradicted her statements, stating that she referred to Nigerian players as “monkeys” and told them to “go back to your third-world country” during the intense scrimmage.
Footage of the game, released on Tuesday, showed Cambage engaging in unnecessary physical contact, including striking a Nigerian player in the head.
Physical altercation between Liz Cambage and Nigerian players ?#WNBA #WNBATwitter #MorethanGame pic.twitter.com/y50oSA48nU
— WNBA Got Game (@wnbagotgame) August 10, 2023
Here’s the full video of Liz Cambage v Nigeria. She starts some pushing and shoving at the start but it really blows up at the 5-minute mark. Has plenty to say, gets punched, and look at how her teammates want nothing to do with it. They’re SO done. pic.twitter.com/9Nn0XIZItl
— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) August 8, 2023
The Nigerian player retaliated by charging at Cambage and knocking her down. Cambage initially denied these reports and later withdrew from the Australian national team due to mental health concerns, subsequently missing out on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Basketball Australia conducted an investigation, resulting in a formal reprimand for Cambage but no financial penalty or suspension. Since the incident, Cambage has not played for the national team.
When asked about the discrepancy between her version of events and others present at the game, Cambage responded by claiming that many of the other players dislike her.
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