Cambage’s rampage
All-Star Aussie demolishes WNBA record
AUSTRALIA’S Liz Cambage has had a historic day in the WNBA, scoring a recordbreaking 53 points and a place in the league’s All-Star game.
The 203cm centre’s 53 points for the Dallas Wings in a 104-87 thrashing of the New York Liberty on Tuesday was the most scored by a player in the history of the WNBA.
Cambage also had 10 rebounds and five blocked shots in the monster game in Texas.
The 26-year-old made 17 of 22 shots from the field, including four of five from threepoint range.
The towering Aussie achieved the feat alongside close mate and former Cairns Dolphin Cayla George, who came off the bench to pick up two rebounds and an assist in the blowout win.
“I’ve had big numbers in China, I’ve had big numbers in Australia and I’ve heard a lot of people say I could never have big numbers here in the WNBA,” Cambage told reporters. “So I guess this game is for y’all.”
The WNBA also announced on Tuesday Cambage was one of 22 players selected by fans, media and WNBA players and head coaches for the All-Star game on July 28 in Minneapolis.
It was her second All-Star selection and came after a four-year absence from the WNBA.
Washington Mystics forward/guard Elena Delle Donne and Los Angeles Sparks forward/centre Candace Parker will serve as team captains and draft the rosters for the 15th WNBA All-Star Game.
Australia’s Phoenix Mercury coach Sandy Brondello will coach the team captained by Parker.
Under the new All-Star Game format replacing the traditional matchup between conferences, Delle Donne and Parker will select their respective teams from the pool of remaining All-Stars to form two 11-player rosters.
Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird and Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi headline the All-Star player pool.
Bird was named an All-Star for the 11th time, breaking a tie with Tamika Catchings for the most selections in WNBA history.
Taurasi, the 2009 WNBA MVP, earned her ninth AllStar selection, tied for the third most with Tina Thompson.
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