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Basketball Australia is investigating an incident involving Opals star Liz Cambage.

“Anyone that knows me knows one of my biggest dreams is winning an Olympic gold medal with the Opals. Every athlete competing in the Olympic games should be at their mental and physical peak,and at the moment,I’m a long way from where I want and need to be. It’s no secret that in the past I’ve struggled with my mental health and recently I’ve been really worried about heading into a ‘bubble’ Olympics. No family. No friends. No fans. No support system outside of my team. It’s honestly terrifying for me. The past month I have been having panic attacks,not sleeping and not eating,” she said in her statement.

“Relying on daily medication to control my anxiety is not the place I want to be right now. Especially walking into competition on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

“I know myself,and I know I can’t be the Liz everyone deserves to see compete for the Opals. Not right now at least. I need to take care of myself mentally and physically.

“It breaks my heart to announce I’m withdrawing from the Olympics,but I think it’s best for the Opals and myself. I wish them nothing but the best of luck in Tokyo and I hope they go forth and win a gold medal. Love and light,” she concluded.

Australian chef de Mission Ian Chesterman says he understands Cambage’s decision.

“Liz has made a great contribution to the Australian Olympic Team over two Olympic Games campaigns. We respect her decision and wish her the best in returning to full health.

“Our focus now moves to working with the Opals so they can achieve the goals they have set for themselves in Tokyo. We know they are totally committed to achieving success in Tokyo and they will still bring a incredibly strong team to this campaign,” Chesterman concluded.

Basketball Australia said they “wish Liz all the best and are currently working with the Opals as they continue their Olympic preparations.”

Sharing Cambage’s and the AOC’s statements on their social media accounts,the organisation finished by saying,“we can’t wait to see you back in the green and gold soon.”

Cambage has wished the team well while she focuses on her health.

The AOC will explore the potential for a late replacement for Cambage in the Opals.

Chesterman had told media earlier on Friday that he was aware that Basketball Australia was investigating an incident involving Cambage that occurred during a closed-door scrimmage with Nigeria earlier this week.

ButChesterman said he knew nothing more as it was still in BA’s hands.

Multiple reports have emerged including from ESPN that Cambage was allegedly involved in a physical and verbal altercation with Nigerian players and the Opals were considering her future with the team.

It is not yet clear whether Cambage will continue to play for the Opals at a later date,just that she has pulled out of the Olympic tournament.

She was reportedly missing from the Australian team camp in Las Vegas in an apparent breach of team protocols,with the Opals scheduled to play a final exhibition game against Team USA tomorrow morning.

Tokyo would have been the 29-year-old’s third Olympics,and she has previously suggested that this campaign would be her last as she looks to life after basketball.

Cambage had shaped much of her past two years around leading the Opals back onto the medal dais in Tokyo after winning a bronze medal at her first Olympics in London in 2012. In Rio 2016,the team had a shock loss in the quarter-finals.

Cambage had rejoined the Opals in Las Vegas in recent days but also had commitments with the WNBA All-Star game which she appeared at but did not play in.

At the time,it appeared Cambage was saving herself for the Olympics by sitting out.

Cambage has been starring with WNBA club Las Vegas Aces,averaging 14.6 points and eight rebounds per game over 19 appearances with the Aces second in the WNBA.

Despite her heartache in the 2016 campaign,Cambage and coach Sandy Brondello formed a solid working relationship with Cambage leading scorer in the competition as the side finished second at the 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup to the USA.

Cambage also starred in their FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in France in early 2020,breaking down in tears after the team clinched its place in Tokyo.

The Opals will still play their game against Team USA in Las Vegas on Saturday at 4.30am (AEST) but the clash between the Boomers and Team USA,also scheduled for Saturday,has been cancelled afterUS guard Bradley Beal was forced off the team under the team’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Basketball Australia has been contacted for comment,but announced that the clash was off on Twitter.

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