Four-time WNBA All-Star Liz Cambage has announced that she will step away from the WNBA “for the time being” to focus on “healing and personal growth.”
Cambage, whose first season with the Los Angeles Sparks culminated in her midseason departure on July 26, took to Instagram on Monday to pen an apology to the organization, before announcing her plans to take a break from basketball.
“Playing for the Sparks was a dream come true and I’m honored to have shared the court with such amazing ladies for as long as we did,” she wrote. “I’m sorry to have left abruptly and I wish it would have ended on a different note.”
Cambage continued, “I’ve decided to step away from the league for the time being and I’m hopeful that the WNBA will do their part in creating safer environments and a stronger support system for their players. While I’ll miss rocking the purple and gold, I’ll be taking this time to focus on my healing and personal growth before providing clarification on past rumors. Thank you to all my supporters, family and friends for all the love and light you continue to surround me with.”
Cambage’s decision comes less than a month after she terminated her deal with Los Angeles. After signing with the Sparks as a free agent last summer, the All-Star center averaged 13 points and 6.4 rebounds in 25 games this season.
“It is with support that we share Liz Cambage’s decision to terminate her contract with the organization,” Sparks managing partner Eric Holoman said in a statement in July. “We want what’s best for Liz and have agreed to part ways amicably. The Sparks remain excited about our core group and are focused on our run towards a 2022 playoff berth.”
Shortly after the news was announced, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported on Cambage’s tumultuous time in Los Angeles. Sources told Haynes that during film sessions, “it was customary for Cambage to call out teammates, accusing them of looking her off and not targeting her. Teammates would counter that she’s not sealing in the post and seldom gets back on defense when a turnover occurs. It was a conundrum that went unresolved.”
Meanwhile, in the wake of a blowout loss to the Las Vegas Aces on July 23, sources told Haynes that Cambage stormed out of the locker room, telling teammates: “I can’t do this anymore. Best of luck to you guys.”
Read Cambage’s full statement up top.
