Shock's Cambage nearly back to normal after concussion
BY JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
6/21/11 at 4:41 AM
Step away from the computer. Step away from the phone. And take a couple of steps toward normalcy.
Could it be that simple for Elizabeth Cambage?
The second overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft, Cambage missed a June 14 game against the Indiana Fever with what she described as a mild concussion. She returned to duty Saturday and came off the bench to help the previously winless Shock beat the Washington Mystics.
What's Cambage's status for a 7 p.m. Tuesday home game against the Seattle Storm? The 6-foot-8 center said following a Monday practice that she's fine.
"I've just been tired," she said.
The culprits behind Cambage's fatigue could be too much rest - and not enough rest.
An explanation:
Cambage, who loves sleeping, said she thinks she has been "oversleeping."
And she has been advised to turn off her computer and mobile phone in order to give her brain some legit rest.
In the meanwhile, Cambage is sort of back in action.
Nolan Richardson said Cambage's conditioning was affected because she missed practices following the concussion. The Shock's coach and general manager said Cambage won't start against the defending WNBA champion Storm.
"We will bring her in the game and try to work her way back in," Richardson said.
Cambage, who was bothered by post-concussion headaches, and Richardson agree that it's best to proceed with caution. She said her most recent concussion - it occurred when she was clouted by teammate Tiffany Jackson's elbow - is her third. Cambage said she was dealt two mild concussions while playing in Australia.
Before Cambage's first WNBA concussion, only four players taken in the first-round of the 2011 draft were starting for their respective teams. Two of them - Cambage and Kayla Pedersen - played for the Shock.
Pedersen, the seventh overall pick, ranks fourth among rookies in points (10.5), second in rebounds (5.5), fourth in assists (2.7), and second in minutes played (30.2).
Cambage shares the WNBA lead in free-throw attempts (38) and leads the league in free throws made (34). She ranks first among rookies in rebounds (6.8), second in points (14.4), first in steals (1.4) and first in blocks (2.0).
Said Richardson, "I am really pleased with how things are going so far with them."
WNBA
Seattle Storm vs. Tulsa Shock
BOK Center
7 p.m. Tuesday
TV/Radio: None
Seattle (2-2)
| | Ht. | Pt. | Rb. |
| F | Cash | 6-11 | 12.8 | 5.8 |
| F | Little | 6-2 | 10.3 | 7.5 |
| C | Jackson | 6-5 | 10.5 | 6.0 |
| G | Wright | 5-11 | 5.3 | 3.5 |
| G | Bird | 5-9 | 16.0 | 5.0* |
Tulsa (1-5)
| | Ht. | Pt. | Rb. |
| F | Pedersen | 6-4 | 10.5 | 5.5 |
| F | Jackson | 6-3 | 7.8 | 7.7 |
| F | Lacy | 6-3 | 6.3 | 2.3 |
| G | Swoopes | 6-0 | 6.8 | 3.6 |
| G | Latta | 5-6 | 17.2 | 2.5* |
*assists per game
Original Print Headline: Cambage nearly back to normal
Jimmie Tramel 918-581-8389
jimmie.tramel@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Shock center Elizabeth Cambage defends Washington forward Nicky Anosike during the first quarter of Saturday's game at the BOK Center. JEFF LAUTENBERGER / Tulsa World
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