Liz Cambage

Elizabeth Folake Cambage was born on August 18, 1991, in London. Her parents separated when she was an infant, and she moved to Australia with her mother, first living in New South Wales before settling in Victoria. Cambage was unusually tall from a young age, reaching six feet by age 10. She was teased because of her height, and her mother encouraged her to take up basketball as a way to make friends.

Cambage began her professional career with the Dandenong Rangers in the WNBL in 2007 before joining the Australian Institute of Sport. She later played for the Bulleen Boomers, where she established herself as one of Australia’s leading young talents. In 2011, she was named WNBL MVP and helped Bulleen win the WNBL championship.

That same year, Cambage was selected second overall by the Tulsa Shock in the WNBA Draft. She made an immediate impact, earning WNBA All-Star selection as a rookie. After intermittent participation in the WNBA due to commitments in Australia, China, and other international leagues, she returned to the league in 2018 with the Dallas Wings.

Her 2018 season became the defining period of her WNBA career. On July 17, 2018, Cambage scored 53 points against the New York Liberty, setting the WNBA single-game scoring record. She finished that season as the league’s scoring leader, earned All-WNBA First Team honours, and was named a WNBA All-Star. She later played for the Las Vegas Aces, earning further All-Star recognition, before joining the Los Angeles Sparks in 2022. Cambage was released by the Sparks during that season and later announced she was stepping away from the WNBA.

Outside the WNBA, Cambage has played in Australia, China, Israel, and other international leagues. She has had major success in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association, including a championship with Sichuan Yuanda in 2024.

Cambage represented Australia at junior and senior levels and became one of the Opals’ most recognisable players. She made her senior national team debut in 2009 and was part of Australia’s squad at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

At the 2012 London Olympics, Cambage helped Australia win the bronze medal and became the first woman to dunk in an Olympic basketball game. She later represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she led the Opals in scoring and rebounding, and played a major role in Australia’s gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. That same year, she helped Australia win silver at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

Her national team career ended in controversy after she withdrew from the Tokyo Olympic squad in 2021, citing mental health concerns. Later reports alleged she made racial remarks toward Nigerian players during a pre-Olympic practice game, allegations that contributed to her separation from the Opals programme.

Liz Cambage plays as a centre and is known for overwhelming size, strength, and interior scoring. At 6 ft 9 in, she is difficult to defend near the basket, using her reach, soft touch, and physicality to score efficiently and draw fouls. She can also step out for mid-range shots, making her more versatile offensively. Defensively, her height makes her a strong rebounder, shot blocker, and paint presence who forces opponents to adjust their attack.

Cambage has spoken publicly about mental health, body image, and the pressures of professional sport. Away from basketball, she has worked as a model and DJ, appeared in media campaigns, and built a large social media following. Her public profile has often extended beyond the court, combining sport, fashion, music, and advocacy.

Liz Cambage’s basketball legacy is defined by extraordinary physical dominance and a complicated public career. Her 53-point WNBA game remains one of the most significant individual performances in league history, and her ability to command double teams made her one of the most difficult centres to defend during her peak.

At the same time, her career has been marked by intermittent WNBA participation, disputes with teams, and controversy surrounding her national team exit. Even so, Cambage’s impact on women’s basketball is significant. She proved that a traditional dominant centre could still control games in the modern era, and her record-breaking scoring performances remain part of WNBA history.

Liz Cambage’s major honours include four WNBA All-Star selections, All-WNBA First Team recognition in 2018, All-WNBA Second Team recognition in 2019, the 2018 WNBA scoring title, and WNBA All-Rookie Team selection in 2011. She is the co-holder of the WNBA single-game scoring record with 53 points.

In Australia, Cambage won WNBL championships, earned WNBL MVP honours, and was named to multiple All-WNBL First Teams. Internationally, she won Olympic bronze with Australia in 2012, Commonwealth Games gold in 2018, and FIBA World Cup silver in 2018. She also won a WCBA championship with Sichuan Yuanda in 2024.

Liz Cambage is an Australian professional basketball player known for her size, scoring power, and dominance as a centre. Born on August 18, 1991, in London, England, to a Nigerian father and Australian mother, she moved to Australia as a child and began playing basketball after being encouraged by her mother. Standing 6 ft 9 in, Cambage developed into one of the most physically imposing players in women’s basketball.

She began her professional career in Australia’s WNBL before being selected second overall by the Tulsa Shock in the 2011 WNBA Draft. Cambage became a four-time WNBA All-Star and made history in 2018 when she scored 53 points for the Dallas Wings, setting the WNBA single-game scoring record. Internationally, she represented the Australian Opals, winning Olympic bronze in 2012, Commonwealth Games gold in 2018, and FIBA World Cup silver in 2018. Her career has combined elite on-court production with public controversy, mental health advocacy, and a complex legacy.