Ezi ready for greatest test

Classy Cambage in sights of Boomer

EZI Magbegor was a freshfaced rookie coming off the bench the last time she went toe-to-toe with Liz Cambage on the WNBL stage.

The year was 2017, and it was easy for Magbegor to be daunted by Cambage’s imposing presence for the Melbourne Boomers, especially in the paint.

Three years on and things have changed.

Magbegor has developed significantly as a player after proving herself on the international stage.

The New Zealand-born Opals forward, who recently won a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm, has every intention of taking it to Cambage when they go headto-head tonight.

Magbegor’s Melbourne Boomers take on most experts’ championship pick the Southside Flyers in a blockbuster derby. The Flyers will go in as favourites after Cambage starred on return to the WNBL with 19 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks in a big win over Bendigo on Thursday night.

But Magbegor is no longer daunted by the woman widely regarded as one of the world’s best female basketballers.

“It is always fun going up against Liz just trying to counter her size and skill with my athleticism and speed, I guess,” Magbegor said.

“She is such a great presence in the paint and the postup, so it is about trying to find ways to get around her and defend her as well.

“Our last game against each other was a while ago during my first season with Canberra.

“I was new to the league, so I was coming off the bench.

“But whenever I go on the floor against Liz I just try and do things on the move rather than just back to basket post moves because I don’t think that will work against her.”

Rivalry aside, Magbegor has enormous respect for Cambage.

She believes her return to the WNBL after having doubts that she would ever come back following her stint with the Boomers in 2018 is a big win for women’s basketball in Australia.

“It is so important,” she said. “Whatever league Liz plays in she is going to draw attention. It is great to have her back, especially with so many games this season on TV and Kayo as well – it is great for the league.”

Magbegor also can’t wait to build up the Melbourne rivalry between the Boomers and the Flyers, even with no fans in the North Queensland hub.

“The two Melbourne teams in the derby is always exciting, whenever it is at Melbourne or the Dandenong Stadium there is always a good crowd,” she said.