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Former WNBA superstar Liz Cambage is changing her tune a bit after video emerged of a scrimmage against Nigeria where she allegedly called players “monkeys.”
Cambage, a four-time All-Star, has been out of the WNBA for a year following a dispute with her LA Sparks players and coaches.
Around that time, news emerged of the now infamous scrimmage which took place prior to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Cambage was set to play for her native Australia, but left the team prior to the tournament after citing mental health reasons.
In a recent interview with Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report, the 6-foot-9 center said that the alleged events didn’t happen.
“I don’t really lean towards racially backed insults,” she continued. “That’s not how I go. I’m very pro-Black. I did not say these [things] to these girls. The truth looks a lot worse for other organizations involved, than using me as a scapegoat.”
She also claimed she was joining the Nigerian national team.
“Why does Nigeria want me to leave Australia and go and represent them?” said Cambage, whose father is Nigerian.
“We’re filing for me to leave the Australian national team so I can represent Nigeria,” she continued. “I’ve been in cahoots. I’ve been talking with them since all of this happened. This is what I mean. People don’t know the truth.”
But that all changed on Tuesday night when footage emerged from the pre-Olympics scrimmage.
Footage has surfaced of the infamous Australia vs. Nigeria game where then- WNBA star Liz Cambage was seen elbowing and slapping opponents in the face. In the same incident, Cambage allegedly called opponents, ‘monkeys.’
Cambage was swung at in retaliation later in the match. pic.twitter.com/MmXI4R2WWq
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 10, 2023
Cambage throws an elbow at one player while slapping another in the video.
She issued a statement shortly after it released.
— Elizabeth Cambage (@ecambage) August 9, 2023
“The circulating video portrays a highly physical game with no officiating, resulting in me being attacked and sustaining a concussion,” she said. “Contrary to false claims I did not use racial slurs or refer to anyone as a monkey, which is evident from the footage.”
She also walked back comments about joining the Nigerian national team.
“To set the record straight, I never stated that I had officially joined the Nigerian national team,” Cambage said. “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.”
This certainly has the feel of a saga that is far from over.