Cambage annoyed at ‘fake news’ and ‘lies’, as Opals beat Team USA

Australian basketballer Liz Cambage has addressed the conversation around her Olympic withdrawal with a series of social media posts, saying she’s “annoyed at all the fake news and the lies”. 

Cambage announced on Friday that she would not be suiting up for the Opals in Tokyo due to ongoing mental health concerns.

In her absence, the Opals marched on to stun Team USA and claim a 70-67 victory in a warm-up game ahead of Tokyo.

Cambage thanked everyone who has offered support since her withdrawal and was keen to clear the air on her decision after several reports emerged that she was kicked off the team due to multiple alleged incidents.

“As soon as I put out that little statement yesterday and made the final decision, I felt a world of anxiety and pressure and heaviness I have been carrying lift straight off me,” she said.

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“I’m pretty annoyed at all the fake news and the lies I’m seeing floating around in news articles and being shown and being asked about.

“I just want to say this decision was coming and I’m happy I finally made it on my own terms.

“It’s sad that news got leaked yesterday that I didn’t even know about.

Cambage said there was a recording of what happened at the Opals’ closed-door warm-up match against Nigeria, which reportedly put her on the outs with the team before she announced her withdrawal.

She said she was losing her mind being stuck in isolation before the Games and denied reports that she “went out partying”.

“I don’t appreciate the lies. Don’t you ever get sick of lying on my name. Don’t you have anything else better to talk about?” she said.

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Cambage further explained her decision, revealing she had suffered “panic attacks”, “hyperventilating” and endured “breakdowns” in the months leading up to the Olympics.

“Yesterday was literally one of the hardest decisions of my life. But it had been coming,” she said.

“I’ve been having breakdowns in the carpark at Whole Foods. Non-stop panic attacks. Hyperventilating. At the thought of going into one of the most high-pressure situations, that is already in a bubble. With no fans, no friends. I’ve never played without fans.

“The main reason I sat out the WNBA last season was my mental health. I’m not OK in a bubble. I’m not OK playing in front of no fans. Mentally, I’m an escapist. If I have no escape from a situation, it gives me anxiety and I panic. And there’s definitely no escape, except for leaving, once you get into Tokyo. And I would not want to do that to my team.

“I’m wishing my Opals sisters nothing but love and victory and protection heading over to Tokyo.

“This Olympics isn’t going to be easy, it’s going to be survival of the fittest and there isn’t any point dragging somebody over there that’s already feeling mentally weak.”

Opals beat Team USA for first time in 11 years

Just a day after Cambage — the undisputed star of the Opals — announced her decision, Australia dug deep to defeat the all-conquering US women’s team by three points. 

It was Australia’s first win over the US, who are chasing their seventh straight gold medal in Tokyo, in 11 years, and first ever for coach Sandy Brondello in her 17-year career as a player and a coach.

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Ezi Magbegor was a dominant force for Australia with 17 points on 6/7 shooting, while Rebecca Allen and Steph Talbot also registered double figure points.

US spearhead Breanna Stewart, who also finished with 17 points, had the chance to send the game to overtime but missed her three pointer on the buzzer after getting away with what looked like a push off to get free from Kayla George.

While conscious of the fact the US rested many of their star players through the game, and it was only an exhibition, Brondello was unsurprisingly upbeat after a torrid 24 hours.

“It hasn’t been easy, definitely, but it shows the character of this team,” Brondello said of the impact Cambage’s dramatic departure had on the team.

“It’s been tough, I wasn’t quite sure what the game would look like today to be honest.

“Liz made a statement that was the right decision for her and we’re going to respect that decision and definitely going to support her, but for now she’s not going to be with us and we’re just focused on the future not the past.”

But with Cambage such a focus for the team on both ends of the court, there is a large adjustment to be made.

That adjustment seemed to be to go to the long ball, the Opals going 5/10 from three-point range in the first quarter to stay with the US.

But the Opals went ice cold and shot 1/9 in the second period as the US closed with an 18-3 run to take a dominant 41-28 lead into half-time before the Opals bounced back in the second half.

Brondello said the team was still awaiting word from the IOC as to whether they would be allowed to call in a replacement player for Cambage at the Games.

ABC/AAP