Cameron Brink says her first season didn’t prepare her for the WNBA right away, but her injury and recovery have helped shape her confidence. The Los Angeles Sparks are leaning on her defense as they push for consistency in the Western Conference.
When Cameron Brink walks into a game now, the tone is different. For the Los Angeles Sparks, the third-year center is no longer just another body in the paint—she’s the defensive anchor they want on the floor every time the opponent starts to feel comfortable.
Brink’s confidence is built on a season that nearly broke her. She suffered a devastating ACL injury only about a month into her rookie year and is now coming off her first healthy offseason since being in the league.
Following the Sparks’ 88-83 win against the Seattle Storm on Wednesday. Brink was direct about what the early days felt like. “I feel very comfortable … the staff makes me feel very confident. KP [Kelsey Plum] is always in my ear, just super supportive. My rookie year, I think I came in and I just wasn’t ready for this league,” Brink said. “And I believe everything happens for a reason. Getting hurt, I did learn a lot. “I’m obviously very far from perfect but I think I’m just taking every day as an opportunity to get better. Hopefully that just continues to grow.”.
Her return has translated into impact—especially defensively. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft has established herself as the Sparks’ best defensive player, ranking in the top-five in the league in blocked shots at 1.5 per game.
That defensive influence mattered again in Los Angeles’ 111-102 overtime win against the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday. In extra time, head coach Lynne Roberts chose to play Brink over veteran forward Dearica Hamby—an approach built around what Brink changes at the rim, not just what she blocks.
“We wanted some length defensively. She’s got such good instincts and even if she’s not blocking shots. she’s impacting them. ” Roberts said following the win against the Mercury. “I thought she did a great job tonight of staying out of foul trouble. She stayed vertical. and if she’s being disciplined like that. then we want her in there all the time.“It was just really defensively. and then her shooting ability. that stretches the floor. so that was what went into that decision.”.
Brink backed up that trust in the moments that decide tight overtime games. She produced a huge four-point play late in the extra period when she knocked down a corner 3-point shot and was fouled by Mercury guard Lexi Held. Brink then sank the free throw to give the Sparks a 105-98 lead with a little over three minutes to go.
She also came up with two huge offensive rebounds that helped seal the win. Overall, Brink finished with nine points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots in 22 minutes.
The numbers reflect both her growth and her availability. On the season, Brink is averaging a career-high 9.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.5 blocked shots while shooting 52 percent from the field, 35.5 percent from the 3-point line and 81.1 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
For Roberts, that’s not just about a standout stretch—it’s about what comes next as the Sparks chase consistency and try to climb the standings in the Western Conference.
Ahead of the team’s game against the Mercury, Roberts stressed that Brink should focus on competition rather than noise. “I just want her to compete and not worry about the noise. not worry about any sort of narrative because most of them are false. ” Roberts said prior to the team’s game against the Mercury. “So just compete. And she’s very coachable. She wants to learn and get better, so very pleased with where she’s at.”.
Brink’s own message fits that belief. Even after the wins, she acknowledged she is “very far from perfect.” But with her first healthy offseason behind her and her role clearly defined, she’s treating every day like part of the comeback—and the preparation she didn’t have in her rookie year.
Cameron Brink Los Angeles Sparks WNBA ACL injury Lynne Roberts Kelsey Plum Dearica Hamby Seattle Storm Phoenix Mercury Lexi Held 2024 WNBA Draft Western Conference standings
Defense wins games I guess.
ACL injury month into rookie year??? That’s crazy. Also how is she already ranked top-5 in blocks like immediately after? Feels like PR honestly but I’m glad she’s good.
Wait so she got hurt and then that “learned a lot” thing… but does that mean the Sparks were just bad before? Like I thought defense was already there. And the coach playing her over a veteran in OT, like ok confidence I get it but it’s still risky lol.
So her turning point was literally breaking her knee? I mean injuries change people but I don’t know about the whole “everything happens for a reason” thing. Also the article says “nearly broke her” but then it’s like she’s the defensive anchor already… maybe the league is just missing centers right now? Either way, Sparks better keep her out of foul trouble.