Cameron Brink is finally playing her first full season of WNBA basketball this year after suffering an ACL tear early in her rookie season that kept her off the court into last year. Brink, who was drafted as the No. 2 overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2024, entered the WNBA under the auspice of high anticipation.
So far she hasn't quite had the chance to perform at the level many expect her to, something the team's head coach Lynne Roberts commented on this week. Roberts words have reverberated through the Sparks fandom for a few different reasons. While it's true that everyone's hoping for more from Brink, it's also true that she hasn't had the easiest time in the W so far, and her development as a player has likely been impacted by that.
What Lynne Roberts said about Cameron Brink
Brink played for 12 minutes during the Sparks' game against the Aces, the team's season opener that ended in a 105-78 loss. She didn't score any points during that time, and Roberts was pretty blunt about her decision to not give Brink more playing time. "I mean, we need Cam to produce. We need Cam to bring that defensive energy," she told reporters after the game.
Roberts made sure to note that the team is fully behind Brink, but they just need her to show what she can do.
"We have so much confidence and belief in her. She’s got to get out on the floor with some confidence and do what she’s capable of doing. But we’re going to need her," she added. Those comments aren't terrible, and in a lot of ways they're completley fair. Basketball is, after all, a job — Brink was drafted to bring a certain energy and set of results to the Sparks.
But it's also true that Brink's own injury past should be taken into consideration. Obviously, if anyone is aware of that it's Lynne Roberts, but a season-ending injury like the one Brink suffered can rattle the confidence of any player. It could take Brink more time to build that mental fortitude back, even if she's physically ready to be on the court.
A similar story is being told over in Indiana. Caitlin Clark missed most of the 2025 season due to injuries and is also exploring playing off the ball more — two factors that mean her style of play is a little different than what fans saw when she was in college and during her rookie season. Coach Stephanie White hasn't questioned Clark's abilities to produce as she navigates both of these factors (though it's worth noting that Clark and Brink play two different positions and roles, and Clark is averaging 18.6 points so far this season).
Ultimately, Brink will likely find her way with the Sparks — or she won't, and maybe a new team will be a better fit.
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