The Shocking Truth Behind Liz Cambage’s Sudden WNBA Exit – It’s Not What You Think (But Definitely What You Feared)

Liz Cambage’s exit from the WNBA in 2022 wasn’t just a headline—it was a seismic shock that sent ripples throughout the basketball world.

The Australian star didn’t wait for the season to end; she simply walked away mid-campaign, leaving her Los Angeles Sparks teammates and fans stunned.

Her announcement came through an Instagram post, where Cambage expressed a desire to step back—not only from the team but from the entire league.

She framed it as a mental health break, apologizing to her teammates and calling playing alongside them a “dream come true.”

Yet, she also hinted at “certain circumstances” forcing her hand and urged the WNBA to create safer, more supportive environments for players.

Those “circumstances” were no secret to those following the drama.

Cambage was embroiled in a racist controversy dating back to 2021, during a pre-Olympics warm-up game against Nigeria.

The situation escalated when Cambage reportedly called Nigerian players “monkeys” and made other inflammatory remarks, including telling them to “go back to their third world country.”

The incident was so volatile that the game was abandoned.

The Nigerian players confirmed the use of racial slurs, which was especially jarring given Cambage’s own mixed heritage—she is half Nigerian on her father’s side.

Before the incident, Cambage had even expressed a preference for playing with the Nigerian team over her Australian teammates, whom she accused of racism.

But the allegations against her painted a very different picture.

The physical altercation during that game was equally serious.

Cambage elbowed Nigerian center Victoria Macaulay, causing a gash on her neck.

This led to an independent investigation and a formal reprimand for Cambage—but only for the physical violence.

The league did not formally punish her for the racial slur allegations, a fact that intensified public outrage.

Cambage vehemently denied using the slurs, calling the media narrative “false and misleading.”

She admitted to the physical scuffle but claimed it was unintentional and provoked by being physically assaulted herself.

She argued the chaos could have been avoided if professional referees had been present to control the game.

However, many saw her statement as a non-apology that deflected responsibility.

The controversy only deepened existing tensions within the Los Angeles Sparks.

Cambage was known for publicly criticizing her teammates during film sessions, complaining they didn’t pass her the ball enough.

This, combined with her inconsistent performance, frustrated the team.

In response, teammates started forcing her the ball, often to the detriment of team strategy, leading to embarrassing losses.

Her locker room tantrums and entitled behavior further alienated her from teammates.

One notorious example was her insistence on wearing jersey number 8, a number retired by the Sparks in honor of Delicia Milton-Jones.

When denied, Cambage demanded number 1, which belonged to Amanda Zahui B, a respected teammate.

The franchise approached Zahui B to ask if she would relinquish her number, but she refused.

Despite Zahui B’s clear refusal, management eventually gave Cambage the number anyway—without informing Zahui B directly.

She found out through social media, a slight that only fueled resentment within the team.

Sparks players felt management was playing favorites, creating a toxic environment that no longer felt supportive or healthy.

Unsurprisingly, Cambage’s dissatisfaction extended beyond the Sparks.

She also severed ties with the Australian national team, refusing to represent her country in the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup hosted on home soil—and signaling no intention to participate in future Olympics either.

So what became of Cambage after leaving the WNBA and national team? Contrary to rumors of retirement, she kept playing—just not in the U.S.

In March 2023, it was announced Cambage signed with Maccabi Ashdod, a top Israeli basketball team.

Joining fellow WNBA players Kanani Brown and Natia Hedman, Cambage helped the team clinch the Israeli Division I regular season championship and cup.

Cambage’s move to Israel marked a new chapter, one far from the spotlight and controversies of the WNBA.

It also underscored that her departure wasn’t about quitting basketball—it was about escaping an environment she no longer found supportive or safe.

In the end, Liz Cambage’s WNBA exit was a perfect storm of off-court controversies, internal team conflict, and personal struggles.

The racial slur controversy alone would have been enough to damage any player’s reputation, but combined with public tantrums, entitlement battles, and fractured relationships, it became a breaking point.

Fans and analysts continue to debate Cambage’s legacy—a gifted, towering talent whose career was marred by drama.

Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the pressures athletes face, the importance of mental health, and the complex dynamics behind professional sports teams.

Whether Cambage will ever return to the WNBA or Australian national team remains uncertain.

But one thing is clear: her departure exposed uncomfortable truths about race, respect, and support in women’s basketball—issues the league must address if it hopes to prevent similar crises in the future.

For now, Liz Cambage plays on overseas, a star still shining but forever shadowed by the storm that ended her WNBA journey.