By Andrew Wu
TEENAGE star Liz Cambage next month heads to the US to follow in the footsteps of Lauren Jackson in the WNBA.
LIZ CAMBAGE: Everyone keeps comparing me to you, Lauren, it's funny because we're completely different. I don't mind it because you've done such an amazing job. I wish to do everything that you've done. Three-time MVP - I wouldn't be complaining with that. It will be a lot of hard work, a lot of sacrifice.
Tall talent: WNBA rookie Liz Cambage shoots over competition veteran Lauren Jackson in the WNBL.Credit: Mick Connolly
LAUREN JACKSON: It's not really a sacrifice. It's just doing what you love. You don't give up anything. I went over when I was 19, it's different. You're so far away from home. Our culture's completely different to American culture. I found that really difficult initially to deal with. Even now, I have to take a step back and analyse the situation before I speak because I know that cultural difference is there.
You'll love it, you'll be the centre of attention. You'll really embrace it and they'll really embrace you as well.
ANDREW WU: How does the WNBA differ in standard and style to the WNBL?
LJ: The professionalism is different. You're expected on a nightly basis to give it everything you have. Emotionally it's hard because in Australia you train once or twice or three times a week depending on what team you play for. It's day-in, day-out, flying over the country and competing and you're competing against the very best players in the world and the teams put so much time into scouting. There's a lot of those women who are looking to dethrone the little princess who's about to walk into the WNBA and dominate. You'll have to stand up for yourself. If someone pushes you, you push them back. Don't do this, but in my first year I had such a huge chip on my shoulder. I think I hold the record for technical fouls for a season.
LC: Whiteline fever gets the better of me, I get a bit crazy. But [coach] Tom Maher has tried to teach me that if you're going to get them back don't make it that obvious.
LJ: It's hard when you're young, to figure out when's right and how to do it subtly. You're so much stronger than most of the women over there. You cannot not get better over there. It's an environment where it's all basketball and no play and it's fun. I love it, it's become my life and it'll become yours, too.
AW: What are your thoughts on the talent coming from Australia?
LJ: The AIS has got something really special, the way they can pick talent and identify talent and get them at a young enough age where they can teach them skills, life skills and how to deal with being away from home. I think that program has definitely picked out the best players.
AW: In 12 months, we'll be thinking about the Olympics. Is London the girls' best chance to win that elusive gold?
LJ: Yeah, I think so. We've been working our way up to the top for a lot of years now through Tom Maher's coaching, from '94, Germany, the Olympics in Sydney. BA [Basketball Australia] are trying to keep all the players here next year before the Olympics.
LC: I stayed up all night watching the girls play the USA. I thought they were going to win it. Just so close but so far at the same time … I'll be staying behind and doing everything I need to do to make that team and win with the girls.
AW: Liz, what do you learn from Lauren?
LC: All that hard work she puts in. She can have a laugh, but she's deadly on the court. I remember being so scared for the first camp knowing she was there.
LJ: Ten years ago, I was in your situation, perhaps longer when I was 16. I didn't stop being scared until Timmsy [Michele Timms] and Robyn Maher departed, so I know what it feels like. But the Opals' culture is very unique. We tend to look out for each other through good and bad … What I learnt, I learnt from Sandy [Brondello], Robyn, Timmsy and Rachael Sporn so I think Lizzy will learn from them as well as from my generation.
It will continue to be passed down. We've never had a player like Lizzy before, ever. Someone with her height, her strength, just her ability and talent it's something that if we didn't take advantage of it next year with the group of players we have, we might never have another opportunity like that again. After worlds last year we made a pact that we need to prepare together to get the best out of each other … we've got to get everyone to commit to it and - London here we come!