Why Is Liz Cambage Not In The WNBA Anymore? Unpacking A Star's Departure

Cristal Yundt 07 Jul 2025

For many basketball fans, especially those who follow the WNBA, the question of why Liz Cambage is not playing in the league anymore comes up quite a bit. It's a pretty big deal when a talent like hers steps away, and, you know, people really want to understand what happened. Her absence from the court this season, following what was actually a decent 2022 run with the Los Angeles Sparks, has certainly left a lot of folks wondering.

So, the story behind Liz Cambage's departure from the WNBA is, well, a bit layered. Controversy has surrounded Cambage for years now, and she's known as one of the more outspoken athletes, both here in America and over in Australia. This isn't just about a player deciding to move on; it involves quite a few different situations and, arguably, some strong feelings about the environment she was in.

This article will take a closer look at the events that led to Liz Cambage stepping away from the WNBA, examining the reasons she shared and the reports that came out. We'll explore her time with the Los Angeles Sparks, the issues that came up, and what she's been doing since leaving the league. It's, like, a pretty important discussion for anyone interested in the sport and its athletes.

Liz Cambage: A Brief Overview
The Departure from the Los Angeles Sparks
Her Announcement and Response
Life After the WNBA: International Gigs
Frequently Asked Questions

Liz Cambage: A Brief Overview

Liz Cambage, a truly commanding presence on the basketball court, has, you know, always been someone who stands out. Her height and skill made her a formidable player in the WNBA for many years. She's also, in a way, become a very recognizable figure outside of just playing the game, known for her strong opinions and willingness to speak her mind.

Here are some quick details about her:

Full Name	Elizabeth Folau Cambage
Height	6'9" (2.06 m)
Position	Center
Nationality	Australian
Known For	Outspoken personality, scoring ability, strong presence under the basket

The Departure from the Los Angeles Sparks

The immediate reason for Liz Cambage's absence from the WNBA traces back to her time with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2022. After playing 25 games that season, she made the decision to step away from the team. This was, you know, a pretty big moment that caught a lot of people by surprise, especially since she had been a key player for them.

Claiming a Toxic Situation

When Cambage opened up about her decision to leave L.A., she pointed to what she called a "toxic situation" as the main reason for her departure. She claimed that she was mistreated by her, well, by some people there, which is a very serious accusation. This sort of claim, you know, always gets people thinking about what might really be going on behind the scenes in professional sports environments.

Issues During Her Sparks Tenure

Reports from sources like Yahoo suggested that Cambage had multiple issues during her relatively short time with the Sparks. For instance, she apparently made requests to wear jersey numbers that weren't available, which, you know, sounds like a minor thing but can sometimes point to deeper disagreements. These kinds of small friction points, over time, can really add up and create a difficult atmosphere for everyone involved. It's, like, a pretty common thing in team settings.

Concerns About League Environment

Beyond her specific issues with the Sparks, Cambage also criticized the league itself quite harshly. She spoke about the WNBA not promoting an unsafe environment for its players, which is a rather significant concern. In an Instagram post, she expressed hope that the WNBA would "do their part in creating safer environments and a stronger support system for" its athletes. This suggests that her decision to step away was, in some respects, also a call for broader changes within the league itself, not just about one team.

Her Announcement and Response

Liz Cambage officially announced her decision to step away from the WNBA in an Instagram post. She stated that she would be leaving the Los Angeles Sparks and taking a break from the league for the time being. This announcement came amidst what the team called a "contract divorce," indicating a mutual agreement to part ways, but one that was, you know, a bit rocky.

Interestingly, after this announcement, Cambage also used her Instagram story to slam reports that suggested she was calling it a career for good. She said, "Y'all will write a whole story and not do one lick of research," which, you know, clearly showed her frustration with how the media was portraying her situation. This really underscored that her decision was to "step away for the time being," not necessarily to retire from basketball altogether. It was, like, a strong message from her.

Life After the WNBA: International Gigs

When the 6'9" center left the WNBA, many people wondered if her basketball career, and her paycheck, was over. Turns out, not even close, actually. The star has, in fact, had a string of international gigs since her departure. This shows that while she may not be playing in the WNBA right now, her career in professional basketball is certainly still going strong elsewhere. It's, you know, a different path, but a path nonetheless.

Her ability to secure international playing opportunities highlights her continued value as a player, even if her relationship with the WNBA became, you know, too difficult to continue at that moment. This also means that for fans who miss watching her play, there are still chances to see her on the court, just not in the American league. You can learn more about professional basketball leagues on our site, and perhaps even find details about where she might be playing now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Liz Cambage leave the Los Angeles Sparks?

Liz Cambage left the Los Angeles Sparks after 25 games in 2022, citing a "toxic situation" as the reason for her departure. She also claimed she was mistreated by her, well, by some people there. Reports suggested she had multiple issues during her short tenure with the team, including requests for jersey numbers that weren't available, which, you know, contributed to the rocky contract divorce.

Is Liz Cambage still playing basketball?

Yes, Liz Cambage is still playing basketball. While she announced her decision to "step away" from the WNBA for the time being, her basketball career did not end. She has, in fact, had a string of international gigs since leaving the WNBA, showing that she continues to play professionally outside of the American league. Her career, in a way, is still very much active, just in different locations.

What were Liz Cambage's main criticisms of the WNBA?

Liz Cambage harshly criticized the WNBA for promoting what she called an unsafe environment for its players. She expressed a desire for the league to "do their part in creating safer environments and a stronger support system for" its athletes. Her decision to step away was, in some respects, tied to these broader concerns about player well-being and support within the league itself. It was, you know, a pretty clear statement about what she felt was missing.

So, Liz Cambage's absence from the WNBA is, really, a complex story involving personal decisions, team dynamics, and broader league concerns. Her departure from the Los Angeles Sparks in 2022, fueled by claims of a toxic situation and calls for a safer environment, marked a significant moment. While she's no longer in the WNBA, her basketball career has continued internationally, and she remains a very outspoken voice in the sport. It's, like, a situation that many fans still talk about, and you can learn more about women's professional basketball on this page.

For more insights into professional sports and player experiences, you might find this article interesting: Understanding Player Well-being in Professional Sports.

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