An investigation into the incident that led to Liz Cambage withdrawing from the Tokyo Games is nearing completion, with the WNBA star set to front a hearing to discuss her behaviour during a pre-Olympic exhibition match against Nigeria.
Cambage admitted she was involved in a heated clash in the warm up game against the African nation, getting into a physical altercation and exchanging words with the opposition.
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In late July, Basketball Australia confirmed the governing body’s integrity unit was investigating Cambage for what it described as a “breach of the integrity framework and code of conduct”.
The probe included extensive interviews with Australian and Nigerian players as part of a report, with Basketball Australia giving all parties a final chance to have their say.
Cambage will appear via Zoom and if she’s found guilty she faces a suspension from the national team and the WNBL competition.
Citing mental health issues, including panic attacks, Cambage withdrew from the Opals’ Tokyo Olympic campaign shortly after the incident came to light. In her absence the Opals got thumped in the quarter finals by Team USA, 79-55.
After leaving the team, Cambage confirmed on social media there had been a physical and verbal altercation but said there were many rumours doing the rounds that were inaccurate.
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“Yeah, things got heated in the Nigeria game. There was a physical altercation and there were words exchanged, but I’m hearing things that aren’t true at all,” Cambage said.
“Everything that happened and everything that was said is on film. I know what happened.”
She also denied she broke team protocols and left the Opals’ Las Vegas bubble. Basketball Australia’s hearing will not cover those claims.
The Australian is currently playing in the WNBA playoffs for the Las Vegas Aces, who are level at 2-all in their semi-final series against the Phoenix Mercury.
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