NEW YORK (AP) – Cameron Brink is finally beginning to see the end of her difficult recovery journey. After being sidelined for 13 months due to a torn ACL in her left knee during a game in Connecticut last June, she is now cleared to play and eager to rejoin her Los Angeles Sparks teammates on the court.
“I feel great. I’m very thankful for the progress I’ve made, and it truly feels amazing,” Brink told reporters after a practice session on Saturday. “I’m really looking forward to playing with my teammates again.”
Brink is gradually getting back into basketball. After the Sparks wrapped up their pre-game shootaround, she stayed at the Barclays Center practice court for an additional 20 minutes of training.
“I’ve put in a tremendous amount of effort. People often see me living a normal life, but they don’t see all the time I’ve spent in the gym with my trainers and exceptional training staff,” she said. “I’ve been working hard behind the scenes and I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Coach Lynn Roberts confirmed that Brink won’t be playing in Saturday night’s game but is hopeful that the 6-foot-4 forward will return soon, especially with three of the next four games being at home.
“It’s tough to come back in the middle of the season, and the mental challenge is something every athlete faces after such a long absence,” Roberts explained.
Over the past year, Brink has stayed involved with the team as much as possible, managing a lengthy rehabilitation process, starting a podcast, and even graduating from Stanford.
“It’s really hard waking up every day and watching your team from the sidelines. I love cheering for them, but there comes a time when you want to be out there too,” Brink said. “I’m so happy to be at this point and grateful to everyone who helped me along the way.”
Brink admitted that the recovery hasn’t been easy. She knows it will take time to return to her pre-injury form. Last season, before her injury, Brink—the second overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft—averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.
“I’m definitely a little nervous, and I’m not quite where I was last year, so I’m just focusing on being patient with myself,” she said. “There’s still work to do, but I’m grateful to the fans and really excited to get back out there and do what I love.”
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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
Fan Take: Cameron Brink’s return is a beacon of hope not just for the Sparks but for all WNBA fans who admire resilience and determination. Her comeback could boost the team’s performance and inspire a deeper appreciation for the grit it takes to compete at the highest level in women’s basketball.
