A star is defined as a fixed luminous point in the night sky; it is a large, remote, incandescent body like the sun. Now, that’s the noun definition of the word, which is not typically used in the context of sports. However, when I see Cameron Brink tower over her opponents, gliding around from the perimeter to the rim and protecting the basket from any intruders, the definition feels fitting.
Although her WNBA career is only three games old, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft by the Los Angeles Sparks already has faced the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, sealed a victory with a last-possession rejection versus the Washington Mystics and taken a seat on the Sparks’ throne as the new queen of Los Angeles basketball.
The hype of a No. 2 draft pick coming in and ushering in a new era for a historic franchise can lead to unrealistic expectations and an inability to reach a standard others set for you. Still, so far, Brink has been as good as advertised, with room to get better.
Brink, an elite defender
In college, Brink was the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, so it was clear defense would be her strong suit. Even so, the performance she is giving for the Sparks is jaw-dropping.
Already, she is the focal point of the defense. Everything is…
