Liz Cambage used to be one of the biggest names in the WNBA. Not anymore.
The former No. 2 overall pick is playing in China after a series of controversies.
Cambage, a four-time WNBA All-Star and 2018 scoring leader, was always abrasive while in the league. She often got into it with officials and was frequently labeled as a dirty player. At 6-foot-8, the former Shock, Wings, Aces and Sparks big threw/throws her body around in a manner that was/is not well received by her opponents. Ejections occasionally followed.
In addition, Cambage’s opinions – which are often made public – often rubbed people the wrong way. And then there was an incident in 2022 where she allegedly used racial slurs toward the Nigerian national team during a practice ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, which led her to step away from the WNBA. Video footage later revealed the extent of the fight that took place between the two teams.
As a result of the accusations against her and subsequent decision to leave the top American league, Cambage has been playing overseas. She signed a $1 million contract with the Sichaun Blue Whales, one of the best teams in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association, back in November.
Sichaun reached the league finals for the second-straight season this year. Cambage helped lead them deep into the playoffs. She was ejected from a very physical game two of the WCBA Finals on Saturday after scoring a game-high 30 points.
A pair of dirty plays resulted in two separate flagrant fouls. Cambage was tossed.
Liz Cambage gotta chill 😒 (h/t @YifengLi) pic.twitter.com/vXBmb0pjNW
— Overtime (@overtime) April 13, 2024
The 32-year-old was furious with the decision and made that abundantly clear with her reaction. She screamed in an official’s face.
Cambage's reaction to the ejection😮 pic.twitter.com/AYalWZOFuT
— Chinese Women's Hoop Show (@YifengLi) April 13, 2024
No matter where Cambage goes, controversy follows. Game 2 of the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association Finals is not the exception. Her on-court behavior was egregious and the ejection was entirely warranted!