19-year-old Aussie center Cambage has eye on WNBA

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic (AP) - Liz Cambage is an intimidating presence on the basketball court, the Australian center's 6-foot-8 frame combining athleticism with strength.

“I can't remember anyone who has that combination of brawn and athleticism,” Australia coach Carrie Graf said. “There have definitely been players her height in the league before, but never anyone who was as agile.”

But behind that imposing exterior is a sweet and innocent 19-year-old. After dominating with 20 points in Australia's 93-54 rout of Greece on Monday, Cambage met with the media for the first time. She was giggling while answering questions and apologized if she thought she didn't offer a good enough response.

Cambage always tries to have fun on the court. At the end of practice on Sunday, she was shooting halfcourt shots and 3-pointers, jumping up and down to celebrate when she swished one.

Cambage, who leads Australia (5-0) with 12.5 points per game at the women's world championship, could be making WNBA fans smile next year.

“I'd love to go to the WNBA next year, but it's just about seeing what's best for me and where I'm at and how much my game's developed and if I'm ready,” she said. “I'm in no rush to go over to Europe, I just want to do WNBA and WNBL for a while.”

The WNBA has already taken notice of the budding star, who is likely to be taken with one of the top two picks in the draft next April. Cambage's birthday is in August - well after the season begins - but international players are eligible if they turn 20 during the year in which they're drafted.

“She definitely would be a great prospect for anyone,” said U.S. women's basketball assistant coach Marynell Meadors, who also is the general manager and coach of the WNBA's Atlanta Dream. “There aren't too many 6-8 kids. Every day she gets better. I saw her in July at the All-Star game. From then to now she's improved tremendously.”

Cambage seems to be just scratching the surface of her potential. She only began playing when she was 9 years old and is still learning the game. She has a decent touch from the outside for a player her size, shooting 67 percent from the foul line.

But Graf is quick to point out that her young star still needs to improve her footwork and rebounding as well as develop moves in the post.

“I think she has a great future in professional sports as long as in her mind that's what she wants to do the sky's the limit for her,” Meadors said.

Cambage didn't always enjoy basketball. She wanted to be a dancer or singer growing up.

“I love basketball now, but when I started playing, I was really bad,” she said.

She didn't even watch the Australian women's greatest moment in 2006 when they won the gold medal at the world championship in Brazil.

“I didn't know there was a worlds until a couple of years ago,” Cambage said. “I found out about two years ago when I went to the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) and there was a big poster of the team.”

Cambage already has been playing professionally in Australia's WNBL for a few years, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 58 percent from the field.

It would be easy to assume she grew up idolizing 6-foot-5 Australian star Lauren Jackson, but it's teammate Penny Taylor - a former star with the WNBL's Dandendong Rangers - who she worshipped.

“I played at Dandendong Rangers and Penny was a goddess.”