Tag: Los Angeles Sparks

Dawn Staley had a classy message for Cameron Brink after the rookie’s season-ending ACL injury

This is great to see after such awful news for Cameron Brink.

The WNBA has lost a major talent for the rest of the season as star Los Angeles Sparks rookie forward Cameron Brink suffered a torn ACL on Tuesday.

It’s a major loss for the Sparks and for WNBA fans who have enjoyed watching this rookie class, as Brink was a major part of bringing in new fans to the league along with names like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

After news broke of Brink’s season-ending injury, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley shared a very kind message of support for Brink from her Twitter (X) account.

“Prayers up Cam!” Staley wrote. “Know your basketball family want nothing but for you to get healed up and back out there! Love!”

It’s great to see a person like Staley cheering Brink on after her injury, and we’re all hoping to see the Sparks rookie back on the court sooner than later.

Reese, NBA legend Magic Johnson and UConn star Paige Bueckers also offered Brink words of support after she got injured.

Brink also commented on her injury, promising a return to the game when she’s ready.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8aKB6qPBed

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=421393215]

Cameron Brink has unique familial connection to Stephen and Seth Curry

For Sparks rookie Cameron Brink, basketball runs deep in her blood, with both her parents playing basketball at Virginia Tech.

For Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink, basketball runs deep in her blood, with both of her parents playing at Virginia Tech. Brink’s godbrothers are basketball superstars Stephen and Seth Curry, so she has grown up immersed in the game.

As the second selection in the 2024 WNBA draft out of Stanford, right behind Caitlin Clark, Brink has a big weight on her shoulders to elevate the Sparks. She understands her role, but tries to tune the excess noise out and focus on her on-court responsibilities.

“I love the media, but I think it’s healthy to just do what my job is and that is to play basketball,” Brink told People Magazine.

When she is having trouble or just needs to vent, she turns to her parents, who help her however they can, including moving her into her own place, while she sat down for her interview.

“They’re my everything,” she says of her parents. “I’ve learned literally everything from my parents. They both played at Virginia Tech, so having them as sounding board people I can only vent to, and honestly, they’re just so fun to be around. They’re my besties.”

When she isn’t on the court, Brink spends her time with other creative outlets such as surfing, painting, juggling and doing her own makeup.

“I take pride in doing my own hair and makeup a lot,” Brink said. “I love to do my own makeup. I think for me, it is obviously fun to get glam, but it’s very meditative to just go throughout the process.”

Finding healthy outlets outside of basketball is crucial to maintaining a work-life balance that doesn’t leave Brink burnt out or overwhelmed. The WNBA is seeing a surge in viewership, investment and opportunity, so players will only continue to see more and more responsibilities associated with their jobs. Thus it is vital to have outlets outside of basketball to ensure these players don’t place their self-worth in their performance on the court.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262608]

Sparks’ Aari McDonald got so keyed in on guarding Caitlin Clark that she almost forgot her second free throw

Hey, we’d probably forget it, too.

Guarding a generational talent in Indiana Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark is a tall task for even the most elite WNBA defender.

For Los Angeles Sparks guard Aari McDonald, she got so keyed in on making sure Clark had someone guarding her during Tuesday night’s game at one point that she almost forgot to shoot a second free throw.

Indeed, McDonald had a second attempt waiting for her at the line when she transitioned too quickly to guarding Clark for the next Fever offensive possession. The only problem was that McDonald still had another attempt waiting for her after she got fouled.

It took a friendly reminder on the court for McDonald to head back to the charity stripe for her second attempt.

Clark is as dangerous as anyone playing in the WNBA when she gets open for a shot, so McDonald’s head was in the right place to make sure she was guarded. However, you don’t want to miss out on that free throw attempt!

It was an honest mistake and a very human moment for McDonald, one we’d probably make ourselves if we had to guard Clark on the court.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=421393215]

Who is Cameron Brink’s boyfriend, Ben Felter? Meet the Sparks star’s significant other

Meet the Sparks’ star’s boyfriend.

Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink is absolutely thriving in the WNBA, and off the court, she’s become a star, throwing out pitches at Dodgers games and such.

And if you’re here, you may be wondering: who is Brink’s significant other?

We have an answer! That would be Ben Felter, who was a rower at Stanford while she played hoops there. The pair started dating in March 2021 (they celebrated their three years together in 2024) and have posted a bunch to Instagram with some sweet messages and photos together.

Here’s a look at some sweet snaps of the two of them over the years:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRAfgBbrq8d/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSaV6AcJP28/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYKFc8hJ2Qz/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd1_90fr-nZ/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4WDC3TPrGA/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4WASb6PFGf/?hl=en

Cameron Brink revealed the unexpected reason why she’s already thriving in the WNBA

If you see Cameron Brink casually crossing somebody up, mind your business.

Cameron Brink is already making waves in the WNBA, as many would expect a No.2 overall draft pick to do. But Brink revealed the unique reason why she’s been so successful during a recent episode of Podcast P with Paul George.

Cameron Brink’s wonderful career at Stanford is turning into early gains in the WNBA. She had a fantastic debut with fellow Sparks rookie Rickea Jackson and has continued to do well in tough situations. In Week 1, Cameron already joined Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker as the only Sparks rookies to tally five blocks in a game.

What has her playing so well? Cameron recently told Paul George that the spacing in the WNBA allows her to bring out more of what she might not have shown in college. Here’s what she shared (See the 46:55 mark of the YouTube video below):

“Everything else is harder — the physicality, the speed…the way your confidence just goes up and down like this. But, the spacing — let me tell you, the spacing is amazing.”

“When I was at Stanford, I would get tripled like this. There was no spacing…the defensive three…it’s not clogged at all. There’s just so much space to work. Yesterday, I did like a push-cross, and everyone was like, ‘That was in your bag?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, because I have space to work, and I’m actually allowed to play on the perimeter.'”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=117952]

Cameron Brink and Shohei Ohtani had a delightful chat before her Dodgers first pitch

Shohei Ohtani’s wife wants to meet Cameron Brink.

Cameron Brink’s rookie WNBA season has already had some great highlights after she went from Stanford star to Sparks rookie.

And now, she can put “made Shohei Ohtani laugh” on the resume.

She was at Dodger Stadium on Monday to throw out a first pitch with Rickea Jackson, and she had an opportunity to meet Ohtani, who told her that his wife Mamiko Tanaka — a former basketball player herself — wanted to meet her.

Brink’s reaction is exactly what you think it would be. She’s delighted by it. Here’s that whole interaction, plus the first pitch with Jackson that looked pretty good!

 

Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson’s WNBA debuts showed that the future is bright for the Sparks

All aboard the Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson hype train.

It’s hard to replace what former Sparks franchise player Nneka Ogwumike contributed to the organization. But adding Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackon in this year’s draft is a good start. Their WNBA debuts were sneaky good, and the future is bright in Los Angeles.

The Sparks did not win Wednesday night’s showdown with the Atlanta Dream. A huge fourth quarter by Atlanta spoiled what was a rather impressive effort from veterans Kia Nurse, Dearica Hamby and Layshia Clarendon — who had a stupendous triple-double. However, what also shouldn’t be lost in the storyline is how dynamic Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson were.

Brink finished her night with 11 points, four assists and two blocks, shooting 66 percent on field goals while adding TWO huge shots from beyond the arc. Jackson had a bit quieter night with just seven points and 3 rebounds, but a heads-up buzzer-beating steal and score during the second quarter proved she can turn it on when the Sparks need it most.

What makes their debuts so impressive is that they’re only going to get better, and it’s going to make the moment when Rickea eventually works her way into the starting lineup with Cameron  — it’s going to happen — that much sweeter.

Candace Parker announces retirement from WNBA

Former Lady Vol Candace Parker retires from the WNBA.

Former Lady Vol Candace Parker announced her retirement from the WNBA on Sunday.

Parker played in the WNBA from 2008-23. She was selected No. 1 overall in the 2008 WNBA draft by Los Angeles. The former Lady Vol also played for Chicago and Las Vegas.

Parker was the 2008 WNBA Rookie of the Year, a seven-time WNBA All-Star. She was also named league MVP during her rookie season and named WNBA MVP in 2013.

Parker was a seven-time First-Team All-WNBA standout and the WNBA Finals MVP in 2016.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist played at Tennessee from 2006-08 under head coach Pat Summitt.

Parker led the Lady Vols to consecutive national championships in 2007-08. Her No. 3 is retired by the Lady Vols.

Dale Zanine USA TODAY Sports

Candace Parker retires having completed her mission of leaving the game better for the next generation

Candace Parker brings her legendary career to a close after 16 years.

If Candace Parker isn’t the greatest women’s basketball player ever, she’s on the short list of players in the conversation.

A dominant force on both ends of the court, Parker was a winner everywhere she went, collecting two NCAA titles at Tennessee, two Olympic gold medals with Team USA and a WNBA title at all three stops of a 16-year career she’s ready to bring to a close.

Parker announced her retirement Sunday on Instagram, saying the foot injury that sidelined her most of last season isn’t cooperating. “The competitor in me always wants 1 more, but it’s time,” the 38-year-old wrote. “My HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it.” It’s the end of a legendary career.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6UEFJ8xWcW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

One of the most decorated players all-time, Parker is a two-time WNBA MVP, the 2016 Finals MVP, the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year and a 10-time All-WNBA selection. That’s not to mention her achievements in college.

When the list of accomplishments is that long, the memories of a player are endless. I’ll personally remember Parker most for two things in particular. First, is the emotions that spilled out of her after the Chicago Sky won the 2021 WNBA title in her first year playing for her hometown team. Five years after Parker finally won her first title with the Los Angeles Sparks, with several playoff disappointments sandwiched in between, it truly felt like she was living out a script from a movie.

The other thing I’ll remember most is the impact Parker continues to have off the court as an ambassador for women’s basketball and a trailblazer in broadcasting. I had a chance to interview her in 2022 about her Title IX documentary and her role with Turner Sports, and one thing that stuck out was a comment about her wanting to leave the game better than she found it for the next generation.

“I think coming into the NCAA tournament, coming into the WNBA, my whole goal was to make it better for my daughter, to make it better for my nieces, to make it better for the next generation,” Parker told me.

As she presumably gets set to embark on a full-time broadcasting career, I think it’s safe to say she accomplished her mission. The popularity of women’s basketball is seemingly at an all-time high. The marketing dollars will likely follow. Those things wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of players like Parker to push the game forward. Young stars like A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark are carrying the torch now, but there’s no question Parker had it before them. She carried it a long way.