Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink congratulated the USA women’s 3×3 basketball team after they successfully secured a spot in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics despite their rather unimpressive start to the tournament.
Brink, who was initially named to the team but was later replaced after a season-ending injury, was among those who celebrated the team’s success. In celebration, she shared a photo on her Instagram story featuring her Los Angeles Sparks teammates, Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard.
“Never had a doubt. LFG,” Brink said in her caption.
Team USA lost their initial three games in Paris, but they’ve bounced back since, winning five straight games in the pool round. They defeated China last in the pool round, 14-12, then secured their place in the semifinals after dominating China later in the day, 21-13, in a knockout play-in game.
Hamby led the team with nine points and five rebounds in their second win against China, sending the American contingent into the medal rounds.
Germany topped the pool with a 6-1 record. Team USA was in a four-way-tie with Spain, Canada, and Australia, each winning four games.
Team USA, featuring Hamby, Howard, Hailey van Lith, and Cierra Burdick, will face the number-two seed, Spain, in the semifinals on Monday.
A status update on Cameron Brink
Cameron Brink was called up to join Team USA’s women’s 3×3 basketball team for the 2020 Paris Olympics in June after she was selected as the second overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. According to the rookie, the news of her selection was “absolutely surreal.”
“I was not expecting this whatsoever, but I’ve worked really hard for this. I love the coaches, the committee, everything, so I’m just beyond thankful,” Brink said. “I’m most excited to be an Olympian. It’s been a dream my whole life and the opportunity to win a gold medal, especially with this group. Honestly, I can’t even put it into words. It’s insane.”
Unfortunately, her Olympic dreams apparently weren’t meant to come true. Brink suffered an injury less than three weeks later, in the first minutes of their game against the Connecticut Sun.
The no-contact injury happened with 6:23 left in the first quarter and the Sun leading 9-5. Brink was dribbling to the basket against Sun’s Brionna Jones, awkwardly landing and then collapsing, grasping her left knee in pain. She struggled to stand on her left leg, and had to be escorted out of the locker room by the team staff. The Sparks’ official X account later confirmed it was an ACL tear, sidelining Brink for the rest of the season.
“You never think it will happen to you,” Brink posted on social media after the team confirmed the end of her season. “And despite all the hard work sometimes it does. This is hard to fathom but I know it will only make me stronger. I will not be derailed and I will continue to love this life—I’m not defined by basketball, but it’s something that I love deeply and I will work everyday to get back to it.”
In the 15 games she played for the Sparks this season, Brink averaged 22 minutes on the floor, posting 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.3 blocks.
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