Draft Dreams: Elizabeth Cambage - Australia
INTANGIBLES:
19-years-old
Height: 6-8
Position: Center
STATS:
2010 Championships: 13.6 points/5.4 rebounds/1.0 blocks/60% Field Goal/70% Free Throw/18.9 minutes/game
2010-11 Season With Bulleen Melbourne Boomers: 22.3 points/8.2 rebounds/2.7 blocks/59.9% Field Goal/72.9% Free Throw/25.2 minutes/game
HOW SHE FITS
A consensus top-two pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft, Cambage has become an international sensation after having an exceptional FIBA tournament last summer causing many WNBA Players to speak on her skill level.
"She would definitely be a solid center in the WNBA," Tamika Catchings said. "She's one of those players you would want on your team, simply from a size standpoint."
"There is no one else 6-8 who can impact on both ends of the floor," (Geno) Auriemma said. "You can't score in the lane against her and you can't stop her from scoring. And she's skilled. She scores with both hands, makes her free throws, handles the ball well. The only thing she lacks is experience. But I have not seen a center her age better than her in a long time."
"She has a huge upside," Sue Bird said. "You can't teach size and this girl is big. There aren't a lot of centers out there today who can be a difference maker for any team [in the WNBA]."
"If she wants to come to Phoenix, we'll take her," said (Diana) Taurasi, who plays for the WNBA's Mercury.
The first thing one notices about Cambage is her domineering size. At 6-8, she has the potential to dominate WNBA paints immediately and for years to come. Her potential appears limitless and if the brilliance she displayed against Team USA and throughout the FIBA Tournament last summer are any indication - her future appears extremely bright.
What makes Cambage extremely special is her outward drive and desire to get better. She has stated clearly that her goal is to play and excel in the 2012 Olympics for Australia and the desire to get better in preparation for the tournament is one of the main reasons for enterting the WNBA Draft this year.
Little to no questions remain about Cambage's pro prospects as conversation has transformed from "will she enter the draft" to "how good can she be?" According to the current WNBA stars, she will be pretty darn good.
For the Shock, Cambage can potentially fit right in at the center spot, filling a much-needed inside scoring and rebounding void for the team. Her ability to dominate the paint on both ends of the court is a much needed asset and could potentially result in instant improvement for the Shock in 2011.
RELATED LINKS
Official Player Page
Liz Cambage Feature on Contact Sport
Liz Cambage on The Circle
Other Prospects
Gonzaga - Courtney Vandersloot
North Carolina - Jessica Breland
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