Aces Trade For All-Star Center Liz Cambage

Las Vegas (May 16, 2019)—Las Vegas Aces President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Bill Laimbeer announced today that the team has acquired two-time All-Star, and 2018 league MVP runner up Liz Cambage from the Dallas Wings.

(View Bill Laimbeer’s Top Five Trades Series from this offseason)

The 6-8 center led the league in scoring (23.0 ppg) and was second in rebounding (9.7) in 2018. She also finished fourth in the WNBA in field goal percentage (58.9%) and fifth in blocked shots (1.7), while setting the league record for points in a game when she poured in 53 against the New York Liberty on July 17.

In exchange, the Wings receive point guard Moriah Jefferson, forward Isabelle Harrison, and the Aces first and. second round draft picks in 2020.

“The trade has finally happened, and the journey it took to get here will make a great story one day,” Laimbeer said with a smile.

“Everyone in the Aces family is excited to welcome Liz to Las Vegas. She brings an attitude and physical presence that we need. There is no doubt about her physical ability, but what we respect most about her is her basketball IQ. That is what we are about.

“We had to give up some quality players and people to make this trade happen. I didn’t know Isabelle Harrison prior to this year’s training camp, and my first opportunity to coach her was a pleasure. She wants to learn, and I expect she will be a solid professional basketball player for many years to come. Moriah helped us launch our franchise last year, and the Aces appreciate all she did for us in connecting with our fans. Wings fans will love her.

“I’d also like to thank our general manager, Dan Padover, for all the work he put into this. This trade doesn’t happen without his patience and persistence. I told him that numerous times throughout this saga, and that’s why I hired him.”

Cambage entered the WNBA at the age of 20 when the Tulsa Shock made her the second overall pick of the 2011 WNBA Draft. As a rookie, she averaged 11.5 points and 4.7 rebounds while playing 20.0 minutes per game, earning a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star Team, as well as the WNBA All-Rookie Team.

The Australian native sat out the 2012 season to train with her national team and participate in that year’s Olympic Games. Cambage helped the Opals to the bronze medal, averaging 13.6 points and 5.6 rebounds while connecting on 59.5 percent of her field goal attempts.

She returned to the W in 2013, and averaged 16.3 points and 8.3 rebounds for the Shock, while connecting on 56.1 percent of her shots from the field.

At the 2016 Olympic Games, Cambage averaged 23.5 points and 10.5 rebounds while connecting on 58 percent of her shots from the field.

Last season, she returned to the WNBA after a four-year absence, helping the Wings (formerly the Tulsa Shock) to the playoffs. Despite a 22-point, 12-rebound, six-assist effort from Cambage, the Wings fell to the Phoenix Mercury.

Her scoring average in 2018 was the seventh highest in the 22-year history of the league. She also developed a three-point shot a year ago, connecting on 32.4 percent of her opportunities on 37 attempts. Cambage also connects at a 76.4 percent clip from the free throw line during her WNBA career.

Cambage, who turns 28 on August 18, has also played professionally in her native Australia, and in China.

Las Vegas tips off its second season of WNBA competition at Mandalay Bay Events Center on Sunday, May 26 at 5 pm PT. The Aces are also hosting AT&T WNBA All-Star Game 2019 on Saturday, July 27. Tickets to All-Star, as well as season, group, single game and flex plan ticket packages may be purchased at LasVegasAces.com. For additional information about the Aces please visit LasVegasAces.com or follow on social media via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.