Cameron Brink is set to play her first WNBA game since June 2024 Tuesday night when the Sparks face the Las Vegas Aces at home. While expectations for Brink's return are sky-high among fans, it's important to remember she will need to ease back into the game. Having said that, there's little reason to doubt that Brink will ultimately prove the Sparks made the right call when they selected her as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
The Sparks had a few options at Brink's position in 2024: teammate Rickea Jackson, who they selected at the No. 4 overall spot; Aaliyah Edwards, who was scooped up by the Mystics at the No. 6 overall spot; and Angel Reese, who the Sky added to their roster as the No. 7 overall pick of the night. Brink averaged 14.0 points and 9.1 rebounds throughout her overall collegiate career for Stanford.
Brink's return is also timed well in terms of the Sparks' season. The team is currently ranked 10th in the league but playing well together, and there's little reason for Brink to do more than come off the bench as an impact post defender — a role she's more than comfortable playing, since that's what she did for the team before tearing her ACL and meniscus last year.
Cameron Brink will prove the Sparks right — probably
While Brink isn't classified as a rookie technically, in many ways her 2025 return will serve as a glimpse into what could have been last season. She isn't eligible for any rookie-related awards no matter how well she ends up performing for the rest of the season, but Brink is a powerful defender and it's likely many fans are about to completely understand why the Sparks selected her over other athletes in last year's draft.
Of course, it could take time to get there. Brink will likely play restricted minutes as she eases into a team (and even a league) that has changed significantly since last year. The Sparks currently boast one of the deepest frontcourts in the W (in addition to Jackson, Dearica Hamby and rookie Sania Feagin have put on a show for the team this season), so there's no real need to push Brink to perform at any level other than exactly what feels right.
Easing Brink back into the game will also mitigate any expectations offensively — while she's been known for her defense skills, Brink had a lot of work to do in terms of scoring last year, and taking her time will give her the chance to work up to the level fans (and her coaches) want to see. There's little doubt she'll get there, and returning to the floor tonight is the best step toward that goal.