Cameron Brink, Kevin Durant Link up After Sparks Game at Crypto.com Arena

Cameron Brink and Kevin Durant exchanged pleasantries courtside at Crypto.com Arena after the LA Sparks lost 82-88 to the Atlanta Dream.

Cameron Brink, Kevin Durant Link up After Sparks Game at Crypto.com Arena

Cameron Brink, Kevin Durant (IG Images)

Cameron Brink has long been fated to have a popular, successful career in the WNBA. As the godsister of the greatest shooter of all time, Brink had a lot of buzz even in college. Much of the buzz was legitimized when her Stanford Cardinals team took the women’s National Championship in 2021. Brink continued to make strides through the rest of her college career, blossoming as a paint protector.

Brink was drafted No. 2 overall by the Sparks in the loaded 2024 WNBA Draft after a successful college career. Brink and Rickea Jackson are two prospects who the Sparks are banking on to lead them to championship contention. However, after a great start to her rookie year defensively, Brink had a setback. She suffered an ACL tear only a few weeks into the 2024 WNBA season, ruling her out for a year of play.

Over the past 12 months, Brink has been steadfastly preparing for life on the court. The Sparks, despite trading for Kelsey Plum, are clearly a few pieces short on both ends of the floor. Specifically, they have a weak frontcourt, which means that they give up lots of paint points to their opponents. Brink, who was leading the WNBA in blocks per game last season before injury, should help in this regard after her return.

Cameron Brink has also been spotted at the Sparks’ home games regularly this season. Los Angeles has played six games in 11 days; luckily for them, four of these have been at Crypto.com Arena. She also turned up to watch the Sparks’ latest game against the Atlanta Dream, who won 88-82 last night. Also in attendance at Crypto.com Arena was four-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant. KD is an ardent women’s basketball fan and always shouts out the WNBA stars for their work.

Cameron Brink spotted the 18-year NBA veteran and beckoned him to come over after the game. The duo exchanged pleasantries while posing for the cameras. Durant seemed to show a lot of concern about her knee, repeatedly pointing at them and asking her for updates while in conversation. Brink, on her part, asked him how long Durant would stay in LA.

Cameron Brink would bolster this Los Angeles Sparks roster

The Los Angeles Sparks haven’t had a lot to cheer for, through the first two weeks of WNBA action. They were able to win their season opener in the Bay Area with Kelsey Plum dropping 37 points. However, they then went on a three-game slide, losing to Phoenix, Minnesota and then to the Valkyries. Their win against the Chicago Sky was a nice get-right game, but they dropped another game at home to Atlanta.

The team needs its defensive lynchpin back to have a hope of making noise and returning to the playoffs. The Sparks have capable offensive players, including Plum, Dearica Hamby and Jackson (out with injury herself). However, they are clearly behind the curve when it comes to dealing with the best offenses in the WNBA. The team is incapable of getting a clutch defensive stop in a planned fashion as they currently play.

Brink’s return would change that in large part. Cameron Brink is one of the most switchable defenders to ever land in the WNBA. She can lock up guards as well as forwards smaller than her with her elite lateral mobility. Brink is also a good rebounder – another area of concern for the Sparks. Getting her back in action would allow the Sparks to perhaps secure a top-eight position and maybe a playoff berth.

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