Liz Cambage's powerful message in nude shoot for Playboy

Liz Cambage has shared a powerful message about body positivity after posing topless for Playboy.

The Australian basketball superstar, who currently plays for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA, stripped off for the famous publication’s latest issue.

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Sharing some photos form her shoot on Instagram on Wednesday, Cambage said she hoped to empower her fans to be confident about their body and sexuality.

“This one goes out to anyone who isn’t empowered or confident in their own skin and sexuality,” she wrote.

“I spent so many years as a teenager hating myself, trying to shrink myself in to someone I’m not.

“I really do hope my self love can help inspire those struggling to love their reflection, because I promise you, you are beautiful and loveable just the way you are!!!”

Cambage also opened up about her nerves before the shoot, but said she was made to feel completely comfortable.

“Thank you to the amazing team for making me feel so comfortable and loved on set...the whole day I felt like I was shooting with my best friends,” she added.

In an interview for the publication, the 29-year-old said posing for Playboy represented her “ebracing her sexuality”.

“Me doing Playboy is me celebrating my sexuality like, ‘Yeah, I am a straight six-foot-eight woman who likes to have sex’. I’m a human; it’s what we do,” she said.

“As a female athlete, I feel like I’m not allowed to be sexy and I’m not allowed to be that person.

“All society wants from me is to sit down, shut up, go to training and play my sport.”

The Australian Opals veteran said she was keen to show off her feminine side, which she never gets to do while on the court.

“I wanted it to be super girly and feminine, which I think I am but never really get to portray as an athlete,” she said.

“We don’t really get a platform to portray the other sides of ourselves.

“My whole life, I have been told to focus on my sport. But at the end of the day, I’m a human and I’m fighting for things bigger than just my sport.”

Cambage also posed nude for ESPN’s The Body Issue last year and is continuing to try to get her message to the public.

Liz Cambage announces return to WNBL

The All-Star centre is set to return to the Australian women’s basketball league after signing with the Southside Flyers.

Cambage is missing the WNBA season for the Las Vegas Aces after being medically excused by the league’s independent panel of doctors, who deemed her to be at high risk for getting severe illness if she contracted COVID-19.

Basketball Australia announced Cambage’s signing in August for the season which is scheduled to start in November.

“While the coronavirus interrupted my WNBA career, it has given me the opportunity to play in Australia,” Cambage said in a statement.

“I have always enjoyed playing in the WNBL, it is one of the best competitions in the world and I hope to see more supporters get behind the Flyers this season.”

Cambage hasn’t played in the Australian league since the 2017-18 season.

She began her career with the Dandenong Rangers, now known as the Southside Flyers. Australian Opals captain Jenna O'Hea and assistant coach Cheryl Chambers are part of the Flyers franchise.

Cambage averaged 15.9 points and 8.2 rebounds last season for the Aces, her first with the team.

She has played four years in the WNBA after getting drafted second in 2011 by the Tulsa Shock.

with Associated Press

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