Get to know Cameron Brink, who has big 3x3 plans for Paris 2024
The last year has been a hectic one for Los Angeles Sparks’ rookie forward Cameron Brink. From winning gold for Team USA in the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Vienna, Austria, to a stellar senior season at Stanford and being drafted second overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, Brink has met each challenge thrown her way so far. But in the middle of her first professional season another adventure looms, a trip to Paris 2024 to represent Team USA in 3x3 basketball.
As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.
Cameron Brink, 18 May against the Las Vegas Aces in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cameron Brink’s international background
Brink is no stranger to the international stage. The 22-year-old has been a member of USA Basketball since 2017, winning her first gold medal in 5-on-5 at the 2018 FIBA U17 Women's World Cup. A year later, she helped the US take home gold yet again at the 2019 FIBA U19 Women's World Cup.
Brink also gained ample experience in 3x3 basketball in 2023 as she was named MVP of the FIBA 3x3 Women's World Cup in Vienna, Austria after helping lead Team USA to the gold medal. She also competed in two 2023 FIBA 3x3 Women's Series stops as a member of Team USA U24, finishing second in both Montreal and Quebec.
“As a post player, I think it gives me an opportunity to grow my game. I have to be able to shoot, I have to handle the ball when I clear it out past the three-point line. I have to defend all positions and be able to guard a ball screen—not just guarding the post defender but guarding the guard,” Brink said during an interview with NBC Sports following her trip to Austria.
“[3x3 basketball] is a really good opportunity for me to grow as an all-around player and take me outside of my comfort zone.”
Cameron Brink’s extraordinary senior year at Stanford
The 6-foot-4 forward’s international experiences during the summer of 2023 propelled her into the best year of her collegiate career as a senior at Stanford University. Brink averaged 17.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and an astounding 3.7 blocks per game. She was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, the Pac-12 Player of the Year and won the Lisa Leslie award given to the best women’s center in the country.
With Brink as a catalyst, Stanford was able to capture the Pac-12 regular season title and make yet another deep run in the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, their season came to a halt following a Sweet Sixteen loss to North Carolina State which ended Brink’s college career. Despite the disappointing conclusion, Brink had a decorated college resume.
A list of her accolades at Stanford include winning the 2021 NCAA Championship, four-time Pac-12 champion, three-time WBCA All-American and three-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Brink finished her time at Stanford accumulating 1,892 career points, 1,223 rebounds and 424 blocks.
Throughout her career she also became more outspoken on the importance of mental health, sharing her own experiences and providing advice for others on how to navigate similar struggles.
“Something I’ve learned especially this past year is that it can hit you at any moment. Last November, right when NCAA basketball season started I hit a wall mentally and it didn’t really make any sense. Everyone’s struggle is so individual with mental health but I think sometimes you just have to give yourself grace for not knowing exactly why you feel a certain way. Give yourself patience,” she said to NBC Sports.
Cameron Brink, 29 March during the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.
Cameron Brink’s WNBA beginnings
Entering her senior season, Brink was projected to be a top-five pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, and her dominant season only confirmed the hype. On 15 April, she was selected number two overall by the Los Angeles Sparks becoming the highest pick out of Stanford since Chiney Ogwumike went No. 1 overall to the Connecticut Sun in 2014.
“It’s just such a high-stress environment, as well, so when they called my name, just a huge wave of emotions hit me. When I saw my mom tearing up and my dad, that definitely hit home. Just super thankful,” Brink said after being drafted.
“I love that I get to stay on the West Coast,” Brink told reporters in New York. “And I love that (the Sparks) took a chance on me, and I feel like I’m just going to show that I can work really hard and help them a lot.”
While Brink is still adjusting to the grueling schedule and physicality of the WNBA, her defense has translated almost immediately as she ranks third in the league with 2.8 blocks per game. Overall, she is averaging 8.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and one steal per game while shooting 32% from three-point range and 42.9% overall.
Cameron Brink, WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music on 15 April
On her way to Paris
On 5 June, USA Basketball announced its 3×3 Women’s National Team roster for Paris 2024 and Brink was amongst the four selections which also includes Cierra Burdick, Rhyne Howard and Hailey Van Lith.
“My first dream before being a WNBA player was to be an Olympian, so it’s amazing. It’s one of the highest honors as a basketball player, so I don’t take it lightly,” Brink said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. “For me, this is a big deal and I’ve worked really hard for it,” Brink said. “Long nights, long days, traveling to remote places to just be able to qualify for this. Right after the draft, I was exhausted mentally and physically and went straight to the Olympic tryouts. It was a sacrifice worth making and I’m glad it worked out.”
Brink will continue to play for the Sparks through the WNBA Olympic break on 21 July before shifting her focus to the Olympic 3x3 basketball competition which is set for 31 July - 5 August in Paris.