WNBA Star Liz Cambage Denies Calling Nigerian Team ‘Monkeys’ Despite Evidence
Coming on the heels of racial allegations levelled against her, WNBA’s basketball star, Liz Cambage has posted an open letter on Instagram where she is denying allegations of calling Nigerian basketball players “monkeys” during a scrimmage ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Despite the evidence presented so far, the Australian basketball player, currently on the Los Angeles Sparks roster, said the incident was handled privately nearly one year ago and expressed her dissapointment over the continuous accusations.
It shu=ould be recalled that 30-year-old Cambage was reportedly caught on camera elbowing a Nigerian opponent in the head during a closed-door practice match in Las Vegas, according to a special investigation by The Daily Telegraph.
Australian officials reportedly ended the scrimmage early following the altercation, after which Cambage was said to have apologized. Still, the matter is getting rehashed after Nigerian players spoke to the investigation.
“That’s what I recall, the term monkeys, yes. And go back to where you came from,” one Nigerian player said. “She definitely did use monkeys or monkey.”
Another Nigerian player claimed Cambage told them to “go back to your third-world country.” Cambage, whose father is from Nigeria, insists that she never used any racial slurs during the scuffle.
“The incident that took place during the pre-Olympic scrimmage with the Nigerian team was handled privately, almost a year ago,” Cambage wrote.
“I am very disappointed and hurt by the events and accusations that have unfolded in the Australian media. The recount of what took place is inaccurate and misleading.
