Liz Cambage at 31: A Glittering Birthday, a Bikini Reveal, and a Bold Exit from the WNBA

1. A Landmark Birthday

This week, four-time WNBA All-Star Liz Cambage turned 31 (born August 18, 1991). To mark the occasion, the towering Australian celebrated in spectacular fashion—sharing a powerful Instagram video that quickly went viral. She stood tall—literally 6 ft 8 in (≈ 2.03 m)—on a rocky seaside platform wearing a sultry bikini, the crisp ocean breeze dramatically framing her statuesque silhouette.

In the clip, Cambage’s confidence and body-positivity are unmistakable. The video, captioned with birthday reflections and gratitude, felt like both a personal milestone and a public statement: an athlete embracing healing, strength, and a new chapter.

2. The Sparks Fallout: A Contract Divorce Mid‑Season

Just days before this bold birthday reveal, Cambage made waves again—this time by announcing her temporary departure from the WNBA, a decision she referred to as a “contract divorce” from the Los Angeles Sparks.

On July 26, 2022, Cambage formally requested release from her Sparks contract amid a playoff push. By August 15, she addressed the decision head-on via Instagram:

“I’ve decided to step away from the league for the time being … While I’ll miss rocking the purple and gold, I’ll be taking this time to focus on my healing and personal growth before providing clarification on past rumors…” Reddit+1592 Q+15Local News 8+15ABC17NEWS+3mynews13.com+3kxnet.com+3

Behind the scenes, the Sparks publicly confirmed the separation was amicable, signaling support for Cambage’s personal needs and wishes. In her final WNBA season, she averaged 13.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in 23.4 minutes over 25 games Local News 8+1Sportskeeda+1.

3. Sparks’ Collapse Following the Exit

Cambage’s departure triggered a downslide in the team’s performance. The Sparks lost 8 of their final 9 regular season games and missed the playoffs for the second year running. They’d also traded away their 2023 first-round draft pick, amplifying the fallout from the team’s late-season collapse kget.com+3mynews13.com+3Local News 8+3.

4. Career Highlights and Persona Off-Court

Born in London and raised in Australia, Cambage grew up facing teasing about her immense height and eventually embraced basketball as not just sport but identity. Drafted No. 2 overall by the Tulsa Shock in 2011, she quickly became a standout star—and controversial figure at times—for her frank personality and outspoken views, including on racial and mental health issues Reddit+9en.wikipedia.org+9mynews13.com+9.

She stepped away from the WNBA for years before returning in 2018 with the Dallas Wings, where she shocked the league by scoring 53 points in a single game—setting a WNBA record she still shares. She also played for the Las Vegas Aces, took the COVID-shortened 2020 season off, competed overseas, and later signed with the Sparks under a lucrative supermax deal in early 2022. However, just months into the contract, she parted ways—claiming the need to seek healing and evade ongoing speculation Herald Sun+2Cassius Life+292 Q+2.

Cambage’s off-court presence also made headlines, including launching an OnlyFans account where fans noted she earned more in her first week than in her entire WNBA career—a critique that reignited debates on athlete compensation vs. personal branding en.wikipedia.org+4Reddit+4Sportskeeda+4.

5. Healing, Growth, and a Birthday Statement in Bikini

Her birthday Instagram isn’t just a glam moment—it’s a visual metaphor for her personal rebirth. Standing on the edge of land and sea, Cambage shows that she’s no longer tethered to the court but embracing life on her own terms.

In her post explaining departure, she thanked fans and loved ones for all the “love and light”, while hinting at clearing up past rumors at a later time Cassius Life+492 Q+4kget.com+4. The birthday video is a continuation—an image and message aligned: healing, strength, visibility, and control over her narrative.

6. The Broader Picture: Mental Health, Player Wellness, and WNBA Culture

Cambage’s story is emblematic of growing conversations around mental health and athlete autonomy. She withdrew from Australia’s team before the Tokyo Olympics, citing emotional and mental strain amid reports of a racial incident that she denied. She also publicly criticized WNBA culture and campaigned for safer support systems for players kxnet.com+3Local News 8+3kget.com+3.

Her exit came amid ongoing debate about the WNBA’s support infrastructure, and whether elite players have adequate space to prioritize wellness. At moments, Cambage’s voice has amplified the league’s internal struggles—forcing fans and officials to reckon with the pressure elite athletes face on and off the court.

7. Where She Stands Now—and What Comes Next

Now playing in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association with Sichuan Yuanda, Cambage is averaging over 23 points and 11 rebounds, helping lead her team to a 2024 WCBA championship and continuing a global basketball journey away from U.S. media scrutiny en.wikipedia.org.

Yet she’s still very much in public view—via modeling, social media engagement, and her outspoken persona. Fans debate whether she’ll return to league play or remain an independent icon rewriting what it means to be a star beyond WNBA courts.