Heartbreak for Cameron Brink: ACL Injury Sidelines Rising Star

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Sparks superstar forward Cameron Brink suffered a left torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the first quarter of Tuesday’s game at the Connecticut Sun.

It’s now confirmed she will miss the entire season.

Cameron Brink released a statement on Instagram shortly after her injury was announced:

“You never think it will happen to you,” Brink wrote. “And despite all the hard work sometimes it does. This is hard to fathom, but I know it will only make me stronger. I will not be derailed and I will continue to love this life — I’m not defined by basketball, but it is something that I love deeply and I will work every day to get back to it. “It’s not goodbye basketball, it’s just see you later. I’m always so thankful for your thoughts and prayers.”

Brink is one of the WNBA’s brightest young stars after joining the prestigious Sparks as the No. 2 overall pick in the draft out of Stanford. She’s a heralded member of a rookie class including Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, and Angel Reese that has helped spark a boom in league popularity.

In 15 professional matchups, Brink was a tenacious defender and posted averages of 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. Just a month into her career, she’s already one of the league’s most fearsome on ball and helpside defenders, in addition to being popular players on the court and on social media.

Furthermore, Brink was selected as a part of the Team USA 3×3 roster for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Team USA will now have to select her replacement before the games start on July 26. She will not return this season.