Cameron Brink Aims to Replicate Caitlin Clark Off-Court Talent as LA Sparks’ Star Prepares to Comeback this WNBA Season

It’s no doubt that vets will bring their own heat, but this WNBA season belongs to the rookies and sophomores. First-timers are stepping up and feeling all kinds of pressure as they make their pro debut, but the players from last year’s draft are coming in ready for round two. Some, like Caitlin Clark, are aiming for another stellar season, while others, like Cameron Brink, can’t wait to make their comeback. But before the action kicks off, these hoopers are getting creative with their off-court hobbies.

Now, when you think about golf and the WNBA, our minds automatically go to one name—Clark. She loves golfing. She even took her passion to the next level, going pro. In November, she played in the Annika Driven by Gainbridge Pro-Am at Pelican Golf Club.

Now, Brink seems to be catching the golf bug as well. Although Brink is certainly a rising star in the WNBA, golf might not be her new calling just yet. Recently, the LA star shared a video on her story (courtesy of teammate Rae Burrell). After a couple of putts that didn’t go as planned, Brink decided to “fix” it by putting the ball in the hole after a fourth putt. Well, she might not be the next Tiger Woods, but she sure had fun with it, and honestly, that’s what matters most.

But all the fun aside, Brink is gearing up for a comeback this season with the Sparks. After suffering a torn ACL last June, which prematurely ended her rookie season, Brink is chomping at the bit to get back on the court.  The Sparks selected her second overall in the 2024 Draft, hoping she could be the face of the franchise. Unfortunately, her first season was cut short, but now, after eight months of rehab, she’s back at it, working her way toward a strong return.

On her podcast, Straight to Cam with Cameron Brink and Sydel Curry-Lee, Brink got real about her recovery journey. It’s been a grind for Brink, both physically and mentally. She’s been pushing herself with jumping, running, and cutting, but she admitted that it’s been tougher than expected “Honestly, like, it’s been a whirlwind,” Brink said about her rehab. “But now people don’t talk about it as much.”

The mental toll has been the hardest part for her. She feels like she has to relearn the game, something every athlete dreads. But despite the challenges, she’s showing a lot of promise. Known for her defensive prowess—she averaged 2.3 blocks per game in her brief rookie season—the Sparks are hoping Brink will be a game-changer when she gets back on the court.

Brink has been putting in the work to get back to her former self.  “I would say I’m back to doing everything like pretty normally,” Brink said about her progress. While she’ll likely miss much of the upcoming sophomore season, her return is still something fans and teammates alike are eagerly anticipating.

Meanwhile, her fellow 2024 draftee Caitlin Clark is prepping for a season that many are predicting could earn her MVP honors.

WNBA stars can’t help but praise Caitlin Clark

Clark’s rookie season was movie-like. She came in hot and changed the game in a way we could have never imagined, and now, with a year under her belt, she’s ready to prove even more. Even other WNBA stars are taking notice and speaking up about Clark’s impact on the game.

Since Caitlin Clark’s highly anticipated debut, there’s been endless chatter about how veteran players really feel about the standout guard joining the league. Would she be seen as a target after her meteoric rise in college basketball? Would veterans be gunning for her?

Turns out, the answer is no, at least, not in the way people expected. Seattle Storm’s Lexie Brown recently set the record straight on a podcast, saying there was a lot of misconception about Clark’s game. People got so focused on her scoring, they overlooked her playmaking abilities.  “The plays that she was making, despite all the logo threes and crazy shots, were insane,” Brown said. She believes Clark could go down as one of the best point guards the league has ever seen, and we’re seeing her potential unfold.

USA Today via Reuters

Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams also chimed in, calling Clark “a problem” and showing mad respect for her early accomplishments. Williams and her father couldn’t believe how quickly Clark adapted to the pro league.

“People don’t really understand how crazy that is to do as a rookie,” Williams said. And she’s right. Clark’s already making her mark in a big way, and with so much support from her peers, it’s clear her sophomore year is going to be one for the books.

Let’s see what these legends in the making bring to the court.