Liz rediscovers passion for game, just in time

AUSTRALIAN coach Sandy Brondello believes Opals star Liz Cambage is back in love with basketball and ready to lead the charge for Commonwealth Games gold.

The Opals entered camp in Mackay yesterday before their first match against Mozambique in Townsville on Friday.

Brondello, who won three Olympic medals and two World Cup medals as an Opals player, is in her first campaign as coach and is happy to call on the experience of Cambage, Jenna O’Hea and stalwart Belinda Snell.

Cambage burst on to the international scene with a slam dunk at the London 2012 Olympics and played in the US and China, but took time out after Rio 2016 when the Opals failed to win a medal.

The athletic and skilful centre led the Melbourne Boomers into the WNBL grand final in her return over summer and is poised to play for Dallas in the WNBA later this year.

“Liz has had a really good WNBL season coming off not playing for a year because she didn’t love the game as much,” Brondello said.

“The disappointment of Rio really impacted on her, but she is back, happy to be playing and enjoying the game again.

“You can see that when she is out on court.

“I’m excited for her and I’m excited she is back with the Opals because we need her out there.”

Brondello coached the Penny Taylor-led Phoenix to the WNBA title in 2014 and is still plying her trade in the US.

She said Cambage would only get better by playing in the world’s top league.

“I’m excited to see how she goes,” Brondello said.

“It’s going to help the Opals as well because she is such a key player.”