Who Is Elizabeth Cambage?
She’s tall, beautiful, and dominant. Please don’t let the smile fool you, she will absolutely bang on you. Or just drop 53 points on your team. Liz Cambage is one of those players who control their own destiny, and our newest “hometown athlete”.
The Climb To The Top
From The Land Down Under To The Top
Young and Gifted
Liz Cambage is one of those overseas imports who makes noise wherever she goes. She was raised in Mornington Peninsula Australia. Ms. Cambage became undeniably fearless. This was due to her pursuit to perform and live life on her own terms. Liz started playing basketball at 10 years old, and hasn’t looked back since.
Standing at 6’8 she quickly understood that she was different, more so special is the word. Although her height was god given, her determination and passion came from her life in Australia. Above all, she worked hard to get where she is today.
Her star began to shine while playing in the Under-20 Australian National Championships. Additionally her professional career started at 16. Liz has been showing the world just how good she is. But scary enough, she’s getting better.
Growth And Experience
As her confidence grew, so did her numbers. She was called up from the junior team to play with Dandenong Rangers. This was the WNBL pro squad and Liz quickly turned heads. Her next stop would be the Australian Institute of Sport in 2007 for the rest of the season. Naturally she received a scholarship to develop her skills further.
By 2009-2010 Liz was receiving high salary offers to play in China and countries throughout Europe. And at only 18 years old, the world was at her feet. But in a move most people wouldn’t even consider. Ms. Cambage rejected the money, and decided to stay home to play for her hometown team the Bulleen Boomers.
She did something shocking, she chose to learn and grow, over the money. Consequently this would prove fruitful for her. Her game bloomed under the guidance of legendary head coach Tom Maher. Liz would lead the league in scoring and blocks with 22 points and 2.8 blocks a game. she accomplished this while shooting an astounding 59.6 percent from the field. She would also earn a spot on the WNBL All-Star Five team.
Loud And Fearless
Liz would go on to dominate the stage of the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women. She continued to help the Australian Opals destroy teams around the world. They beat out powerhouse teams like Spain and the US in the Salamanca Invitational Tournament. They would eventually fall to the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals of the FIBA World Championships. Liz had made her statement loud and clear, she was good and a force to be reckoned with.
At 19 years old she led the Boomers to a 19-3 record. Ms. Cambage defended her scoring title averaging 22.3 points per game to go along with 8.2 rebounds and a 58.9% field goal percentage. Coincidentally that season Liz became MVP and now she would be called Champion. The Boomers defeated Canberra to finally possess the WNBL title. The WNBA had their eyes on the prize that is Liz Cambage, and Liz found herself being selected second overall in the 2011 WNBA Draft.
Her rookie season saw many bumps and bruises. However 19 year old Liz would still make the WNBA All-Star team. Liz would also have an immediate impact in the more physical WNBA league. The following year saw Liz performing for the Australian team in the 2012 Olympics. She became the first and only woman to dunk in an Olympic game while defeating Russia, and taking home the Bronze medal.
Game Changer
Furthermore Ms. Cambage wasn’t done yet. She went off to play for Chinese team Zhejiang Chouzhou. Liz made noise again signing for an eye opening $400,000. And she earned every dime. Liz averaged 36 points and shot 79% from the field. She was again setting records being one of the highest paid women’s basketball players in the world.
Her journey’s took her back to the WNBA. Here she would set more records being the the first women to drop 53 points in a game against the Liberty. This would be the most points scored in a WNBA game, and we don’t think it was a surprise to those who knew her.
Ms. Cambage went on to play for more teams in China, the WNBA, and her home country. There’s so much more to this wonderful athlete, but we would be typing forever if we tried to paint the full picture. Check out her “player profile” to see more of where Liz dominated around the world.
Humility
Don’t Dare Discriminate
Watch What You Say
Liz has used her voice and her celebrity to speak up about discrimination, and pay disparity. Subsequently this was due to her being a person who was bullied at a young age for her height. Ms. Cambage knows all too well the damages it can cause in one’s life.
Liz has rarely been shy and why should she, she’s earned everything she’s received. Check out her interview in Australian Women’s Health Magazine and see why she’s more than just a tall basketball player, she’s all woman.
The Future Is Bright
From DJ’ing To Modeling
A Woman Of Many Talents
When Liz isn’t tearing up every league she walks into, you can find her posing for the camera. She’s known for delivering beautiful photos for the world to see. She’s making herself into a brand and a force outside of the basketball world.
Go DJ
Her DJ’ing skills aren’t bad either, but we see a world of opportunities for a talented, and beautiful woman like Elizabeth Cambage. Please join us in wishing this amazing woman and “hometown athlete” the best of luck. And be sure to check out her instagram @ecambage to see what we’re talking about.