Why Did Liz Cambage Leave The WNBA? Unpacking Her Departures

Dakota Bode

30 Jul, 2025

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Many basketball watchers, very often, wonder about the choices star players make. One question that keeps coming up, you know, is "Why did Liz Cambage leave the WNBA?" Her time in the league, in some respects, has seen several notable exits. These departures, it's almost, have sparked quite a bit of conversation among fans and those who follow the sport closely. We're here to talk about the different times she stepped away and the reasons given for each one.

Liz Cambage, a truly gifted center, has certainly left her mark on women's basketball. Her presence on the court, you see, is undeniable. But just as much as her playing, her decisions to step away from the Women's National Basketball Association have drawn significant attention. Understanding these moments gives us a fuller picture of her career path and, perhaps, the pressures athletes sometimes face.

This piece will explore the various instances when Liz Cambage chose to depart from the WNBA, based on information available. We'll look at her initial break from the Tulsa Shock, the circumstances surrounding her withdrawal from the Australian national team, and her more recent split from the Los Angeles Sparks. So, let's get into the details of what happened.

Who is Liz Cambage?
- Personal Details & Career Highlights
Her First Departure: The Tulsa Shock Years (2012)
- Not Wanting to Play for the Franchise
- The Olympic Interruption and Final Decision
The Australian National Team Controversy (Tokyo 2020 Olympics)
- Allegations and Denials
- Prioritizing Personal Well-being
The Los Angeles Sparks Exit (2022)
Recurring Themes: A Difficult Player Reputation
What's Next for Liz Cambage?
Frequently Asked Questions About Liz Cambage's WNBA Departures

Who is Liz Cambage?

Liz Cambage, a prominent figure in women's basketball, has gained considerable recognition for her towering height and impressive skills on the court. She's a very well-known player, that's for sure. Her career has taken her across different leagues and continents, making her a global name in the sport. She was a high draft pick, and, you know, much was expected of her from the start.

Her journey in the WNBA began after being selected as the second overall pick in the 2011 draft. She joined the Tulsa Shock, starting her professional path in the United States. Throughout her time, she's been a powerful presence, often dominating games with her scoring and rebounding. She's had a rather unique career trajectory, with several breaks and returns.

Personal Details & Career Highlights

Detail	Information
Full Name	Elizabeth Folau Cambage
Born	August 18, 1991
Nationality	Australian
Position	Center
WNBA Draft	2011, 2nd overall pick (Tulsa Shock)
WNBA Teams	Tulsa Shock (2011-2012), Dallas Wings (2018), Las Vegas Aces (2019-2021), Los Angeles Sparks (2022)
Olympic Appearances	2012 London, 2016 Rio

Her First Departure: The Tulsa Shock Years (2012)

Liz Cambage's first departure from the WNBA happened after her rookie season with the Tulsa Shock in 2011. This was, in a way, a significant moment early in her career. She stepped away from the league for four seasons, which is quite a long stretch for a player so early on. The reasons behind this initial break were quite clear at the time.

Not Wanting to Play for the Franchise

The primary reason cited for her exit from Tulsa, actually, was her unwillingness to play for the franchise. She made it known that she simply did not want to be part of that team anymore. This decision came to light in 2012, when Cambage stated she would sit out the remainder of the season. It was a firm stance, and, you know, it showed her resolve.

Her dissatisfaction with the team environment or the situation in Tulsa, it seems, was strong enough to prompt her to step away entirely. This was not a minor disagreement; rather, it led to a multi-year hiatus from the WNBA. It's a bit unusual for a young player to make such a choice, but she did.

The Olympic Interruption and Final Decision

After the 2012 Olympics, where she represented Australia, there was an expectation for her to rejoin the Shock. However, on the morning of her scheduled flight back to the United States, Cambage announced she would miss the rest of the WNBA season. This was a sudden choice, and, quite frankly, it left the team in a difficult spot.

This decision meant she would not return to the league for quite some time, effectively starting her four-season absence. It truly highlights how deeply she felt about not wanting to play for that particular team. So, her first departure was, essentially, a direct result of her feelings about the Tulsa Shock.

The Australian National Team Controversy (Tokyo 2020 Olympics)

Another major point of discussion in Liz Cambage's career involved her withdrawal from the Australian national team, the Opals, just before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This event, in some respects, made headlines and added another layer to her public persona. It was a very public situation, and, you know, it got a lot of people talking.

Allegations and Denials

During a practice session leading up to the Olympics, Liz Cambage allegedly shouted racial slurs at the Nigerian national team. These were serious accusations, and they quickly spread. However, Cambage, for her part, firmly denied these allegations. She stated that the claims were not true, offering a different side to the story.

The situation created a significant amount of tension and discussion around her involvement with the team. It was a very sensitive topic, and, quite frankly, it put her in a difficult position. The denials were consistent, but the allegations themselves caused a stir.

Prioritizing Personal Well-being

Ultimately, Liz Cambage withdrew from the Opals squad shortly before the games began. The reason she gave for this decision was her mental health. She openly spoke about needing time for herself and putting her well-being first. This was a personal choice, and, you know, it showed her focus on her own needs.

While denying the allegations of racial slurs, she also made it clear that she had no interest in playing for the Opals. This indicated a deeper dissatisfaction or a need for a break from that particular team environment. It was a rather complex situation, with multiple factors at play in her decision to step away.

The Los Angeles Sparks Exit (2022)

The most recent and widely discussed departure for Liz Cambage happened in August 2022, when she left the Los Angeles Sparks. This was in the middle of her first season with the team, after signing as a free agent in February of that year. It was a somewhat abrupt ending, and, you know, it surprised many.

An Amicable Parting of Ways

On July 26, 2022, the Sparks and Cambage put out a statement announcing they had "agreed to part ways amicably." This phrasing, it seems, suggests a mutual decision to end their association. The team described it as a "contract divorce" that Cambage herself sought. This indicates she initiated the move to leave the team.

The agreement meant both sides came to terms with the separation. It wasn't a firing, but rather a mutual agreement to end the contract. This type of separation, you know, often happens when a player or team feels the fit isn't quite right anymore.

A Call for Personal Growth and League Improvement

Following this, Cambage announced on Instagram that she had decided to step away from the WNBA "for the time being." She explained that she needed time for "healing and personal growth." She talked quite openly about her personal reasons for departing, emphasizing her need for this break.

In her social media post acknowledging her departure from the Sparks, she also mentioned hoping the league would "do their part in" improving. This suggests she had some thoughts on areas where the WNBA could get better. It was, in a way, a broader statement about the league itself, not just her team.

The Impact on the Team

Her departure came after playing 25 games for the Sparks in the 2022 season. Her exit, quite frankly, occurred at an inconvenient time for the team. The Sparks were left trying to make it into the WNBA playoffs without a reliable backup center on their bench. It put them in a tough spot, especially given the timing.

Her leaving meant the team had to adjust quickly and find solutions for their roster needs. It was a significant change for them mid-season, and, you know, it certainly had an impact on their plans and performance as they tried to move forward.

Recurring Themes: A Difficult Player Reputation

Across her career, Liz Cambage has, at times, faced reports of being a difficult player to deal with. This perception, it seems, has contributed to a certain "bad rap" for her in the basketball world. These reports have surfaced periodically, creating a consistent theme in discussions about her professional conduct.

While the specific reasons for each departure are varied, this underlying reputation, you know, sometimes colors the public's perception of her choices. It's a part of her story that, in a way, has been present throughout her time in the sport. This is something that has been mentioned in various contexts.

What's Next for Liz Cambage?

After her most recent departure in August 2022, Liz Cambage stated she was stepping away "for the time being" to focus on healing and personal growth. As of today, she has not returned to the WNBA. Her future in the league, you know, remains a topic of speculation among fans and observers.

Whether she will eventually return to the WNBA or pursue other avenues in basketball or beyond is still unclear. Her career has seen breaks before, so a return is always a possibility, but nothing is certain. It's a situation that, quite frankly, many are watching to see how it develops.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liz Cambage's WNBA Departures

Why did Liz Cambage leave the Sparks?

Liz Cambage left the Los Angeles Sparks in July 2022 after agreeing with the team to "part ways amicably." She later stated on social media that she decided to step away from the WNBA "for the time being," citing a need for "healing and personal growth." She also mentioned hoping the league would improve in certain areas. It was, essentially, a contract divorce that she sought.

What happened with Liz Cambage and the Opals?

During a practice session before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Liz Cambage allegedly shouted racial slurs at the Nigerian national team. She denied these allegations. Ultimately, she withdrew from the Australian national team, the Opals, shortly before the games, stating mental health as her reason. She also made it clear she had no interest in playing for the Opals.

Has Liz Cambage played in the WNBA since 2022?

No, Liz Cambage has not played in the WNBA since her departure from the Los Angeles Sparks in August 2022. She announced at that time that she was stepping away from the league "for the time being" to focus on personal well-being. Her status for future WNBA seasons, you know, is currently unknown.

The journey of Liz Cambage in the WNBA has been marked by moments of brilliance on the court and significant decisions to step away from the game. Her departures, from her early exit from the Tulsa Shock to her recent split from the Los Angeles Sparks, have often been tied to personal reasons, including mental health and her feelings about team environments. These instances, you know, paint a picture of an athlete making choices that prioritize her own well-being and professional satisfaction. Understanding these various reasons helps us grasp the full story behind her time in the league.

To learn more about women's professional basketball on our site, and for more details about athlete career paths, you can explore our other pages. For broader context on professional sports leagues, consider visiting the official WNBA website for general information and updates on the league. It's a good place to get the official word, you know.