Aussie star Liz Cambage has sent a message to the Nigerian basketball team, pledging her support to them during the Olympic Games.
The Australian side is currently without its best player after Cambage officially withdrew from the Tokyo Games, citing mental health concerns.
Her decision to step away from the team came just a few days after an incident during a team training session where it's understood she was involved in a physical altercation as well as a verbal exchange.
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Now Cambage has ruffled a few feathers among basketball fans Down Under after she sent a message of support to rivals Nigeria.
"To all my D'Tigress family, good luck at the Olympics," Cambage said in a leaked video posted on social media.
"Go get some hard metal. Let's go."
It's understood Cambage's father is Nigerian, so her affiliation with the team is understandable - especially now given the recent events that unfolded in the Australian camp.
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Just a matter of days before the Tokyo Olympics were due to kick off, bombshell reports emerged flagging "behavioural concerns" that Cambage had displayed while in camp.
Some speculation suggested she was facing the axe for her actions, but Cambage tooks matters into her own hands and walked away from the team herself.
"Anyone that knows me knows one of my biggest dreams is winning an Olympic gold medal with the Opals. Every athlete competing in the Olympic games should be at their mental and physical peak, and at the moment," she said in an emotional statement.
"I'm a long way from where I want and need to be. It's no secret that in the past I've struggled with my mental health and recently I've been really worried about heading into a "bubble" Olympics. No family. No friends. No fans. No support system outside of my team. It's honestly terrifying for me. The past month I have been having panic attacks, not sleeping and not eating.
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"Relying on daily medication to control my anxiety is not the place I want to be right now. Especially walking into competition on the world's biggest sporting stage.
"I know myself, and I know I can't be the Liz everyone deserves to see compete for the Opals. Not right now at least. I need to take care of myself mentally and physically.
"It breaks my heart to announce I'm withdrawing from the Olympics, but I think it's best for the Opals and myself. I wish them nothing but the best of luck in Tokyo and I hope they go forth and win a gold medal. Love and light."
The Opals, without Cambage at their disposal, suffered a shock opening round 85-70 defeat at the hands of Belgium.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Instagram/@ecambageTopics: Nigeria, Basketball, olympics, Tokyo Olympics, Mental Health, WNBA, Australia
