Australian basketball legend Andrew Bogut has slammed Liz Cambage for allegedly making 'absolutely disgusting' comments to Nigerian players in a practice match.
Cambage, 29, dramatically withdrew from the Opals' Olympics campaign last week, citing ongoing mental health issues.
She said in a Instagram post she wasn't prepared to live in a bubble in Tokyo without a support network of family and friends and didn't want to play in empty stadiums.
Cambage was reportedly involved in a physical altercation against the Nigerian national team, which sparked verbal abuse on court.
'The story around it is separating the mental health from the behaviours that you (Cambage) had. I'm not saying she's using it as an excuse or whatever, but the rumours are pretty damning,' Bogut said on the latest episode of his podcast Rogue Bogues.
Liz Cambage, 29, dramatically withdrew from the Opals' Olympics campaign last week, citing ongoing mental health issues
'You just can't excuse those kinds of behaviours, mental health or not. 'That doesn't excuse you making the comments that I've heard, off the record, (which are) are absolutely … disgusting.
'It never gives you an excuse to just go out there and make those kinds of comments, in my opinion.'
Bogut's podcast co-host, respected NBA scout and Kobe Bryant's former coach Mike Procopio, was equally horrified by Cambage's alleged conduct.
'I've heard what she's said too and it's pretty f***ing despicable … it's a nightmare what she said. 'If it's mental health, that's fine, I understand that to a certain degree,' he said.
'But the s**t that she said is, to me, I can't forgive it. It's pretty bad and it's going to get out eventually, let's be honest, it will get out.
'The WNBA really needs to step in and say, 'You're not well to play right now. We care about you as a person more than we care about you as a basketball player, so we need to get you help'.'
Despite stepping aside to play in the Tokyo Olympics, Cambage remains under investigation by Basketball Australia.
'The circumstances surrounding the incident that occurred during the scrimmage between Nigeria and Australia involving Liz Cambage are currently under investigation for a breach of the integrity framework and code of conduct,' Basketball Australia said in a statement.
'As Liz has withdrawn from the Olympic Games due to mental health reasons we will not make any comments on the status of the investigation until the matter is concluded.
'The investigation is being managed by Basketball Australia's Integrity Division.'
Bogut also earlier weighed in on the Opals star's shock withdrawal from the Games.
'Having mental health issues does not mean you cannot be criticised,' the NBA champion and Olympics commentator said.
'Poor behaviour and engaging in poor team culture can be a separate issue from mental health.
'Yes, one's behaviour can be erratic when facing a mental health battle, but this does not give you permission to behave in the way Liz reportedly has.'
Describing her as 'one of the best players in the world', Bogut claimed that mental health issues weren't the sole reason for her sudden departure from the games.
'I believe her withdrawal from the Olympics, in my opinion, is the repercussions of her behaviour.' he said.
Former NBA champion Andrew Bogut weighs in on Liz Cambage saga saying 'mental health does not mean you cannot be criticised'
Liz Cambage (centre) withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics, revealing ongoing mental health concerns
On Friday Cambage vanished from the Opals camp in Las Vegas with teammates and officials were unable to locate her.
Early on Saturday morning she told fans she was at 'breaking point' and confirmed the reports she was involved in an altercation during the Opals' warm-up game against Nigeria.
But she slammed the 'fake news and lies' when addressing allegations she was partying in Las Vegas.
'Here we go again... This decision has been a few days in the making but I've been at breaking point for a month or so now,' Cambage said.
'But as soon as I put out that little statement yesterday and made the final decision, I felt a world of anxiety and pressure and heaviness I have been carrying lift straight off me.
'I'm pretty annoyed at all the fake news and the lies I'm seeing floating around in news articles and being shown and being asked about.'
Cambage, 29, doesn't feel she would cope living in a bubble away from family and friends in Tokyo for the Games - and has confirmed she won't play in the Olympics
Cambage earlier explained to her fans that she was not in the right shape to play at her best at the Olympics and so was pulling out.
'Every athlete competing at the Olympic Games should be at their mental and physical peak, and I am a long where from where I want and need to be,' she said.
'It's no secret I have had my struggles with mental health in the past and living in a bubble without family and friends (in Tokyo) is honestly terrifying for me.
'Relying on daily
