Cambage is one of the few Australian women able to make a lucrative living from sport. Many top female athletes hold down several jobs to pursue their passion.
Amy Bainbridge compiled this report.
ANNOUNCER: The Tulsa Sharks select Elizabeth Cambage from Australia.
AMY BAINBRIDGE: Things are looking up for Liz Cambage and hopefully, for Australian basketball.
After the boom time of the 1990s basketball has struggled here, while rugby league, Aussie rules and netball have flourished.
Rachael Sporn represented Australia at three Olympic Games and played for Detroit Shock in the WNBA.
RACHAEL SPORN: At the moment we're trying to really get the WNBL back to where it used to be. I'm hoping that what?s happened with Liz will help that.
AMY BAINBRIDGE: This year, some men's basketball games are back on free-to-air television, giving the sport a much-needed boost.
Larry Sengstock is the CEO of Basketball Australia.
LARRY SENGSTOCK: Oh look I think it's fantastic, it's fantastic for Liz, it's fantastic for basketball in that it's a great motivation for young girls to get in and play basketball.
AMY BAINBRIDGE: Liz Cambage is part of a small, elite group of Australian athletes able to make a full-time wage from playing basketball.
This week, the Federal Government increased funding to the nation's top athletes ahead of next year's Olympics.
The Direct Athlete Support scheme will receive an extra $3 million a year and there's extra money for athletes ranked in the top four in the world.
Rachel Sporn knows just how hard it can be trying to hold down a job and make it to the top level of sport.
RACHAEL SPORN: I guess when you're younger you're able to cope with more things, but I used to work in a sports store so I would actually work on my, you know, stand on my feet all day, and if I had a some NBL game with Lightening on a Friday night at 6:00, I'd work until 4:00 and go straight to the stadium.
AMY BAINBRIDGE: Is Liz really, I mean as you said it really is elite isn't it. She's sort of the exception isn't she, I mean there's not really that many women in Australia who can make a comfortable living out of playing the sport is there?
RACHAEL SPORN: No there's not and when you look at the percentage it's probably only 5 per cent of WNBL players who probably make a great living, and of course they are the players that are committing to the European season, or if they're lucky enough to get a gig in the WNBA .
BRENDAN TREMBATH: Rachael Sporn, the three-time Olympian and ABC sports commentator, ending that report from Amy Bainbridge.
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