Among Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, there was another prodigal player in that 2024 class, Cameron Brink. The prodigal defensive specialist had a start in the WNBA to remember, getting praise from the likes of A’ja Wilson and Diana Taurasi. She is even hyped by the current Los Angeles star Kelsey Plum, who opined that “Cam is a Defensive Player of the Year waiting to brew.”  

She started strong and stamped her authority with 11 blocks in the first three games. In her first nine games, Brink was also averaging 8.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals. Her 2.6 blocks per game placed her third in the league at the time, just behind Ezi Magbegor and A’ja Wilson. That form carried to 15 games as she was averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 2.3 blocks. But everything came crashing down when she tore her ACL in the left knee during the first quarter of a June 18 game against the Connecticut Sun.

Since then, it has been a long road back. She had to undergo a full ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair in July 2024. The procedure involved using a tendon graft to replace the damaged ligament, restoring knee stability. And from then on, slowly but surely, she has been working her way back on the court. The toughest part was the mental aspect, where she felt that she had to “relearn everything.” 

However, she has graduated from physical therapy to actual on-court practice. Brink was seen participating in the shoot-around prior to the Sparks game against the Mystics, and coach Lynn Roberts even said that she is participating in full 5 vs 5 practice. This news means her date of return is getting closer by the day, which has the fans absolutely stoked.

Fans hoping for a return for Cameron Brink soon 

Brink was the Los Angeles Sparks’ very own wonder girl. The defensive wall that was supposed to take the Sparks to the next level. She was what Aliyah Boston was to the Indiana Fever: the start to a new era. Unfortunately for them, that script did not turn out the way they wanted to, as Sparks stumbled during the season, finishing with an 8-12 record and last in the league. They are doing better this season, but Brink’s comeback signals something much bigger for the team. Her comeback has sparked hope and excitement among the fans. 

“Brink casually dropping in the 3. Can’t wait for her to be back in game action,” wrote one fan, and another echoed with, “So happy to see this!!” and deservedly so, as Brink was one of the most promising prospects of the 2024 class and suffered a season-ending injury pretty early into the season. The Sparks star had shown that she belongs on this level, and just when Brink had learned the ropes, she had that setback. Her return was initially reported to be before the All-Star break, but she is taking the due precaution and is now expected to return at the end of July.

A fan pulled no punches: “Waive her and let the Fever grab her, we need her more than you do.” The Sparks are floundering in 10th at 8-14, while the Fever are 12-11 and hungry for a playoff surge. Indiana’s youthful core is built for the future and thriving, pushing the franchise into the spotlight as true contenders. In contrast, the Sparks are scrambling to define themselves, stuck in rebuild mode with no clear path forward. Defensive troubles or not, the Fever are on the rise, while the Sparks are simply treading water, hoping to keep up. Brink’s addition will help the Sparks gain some ground on the teams ahead. 

One fan summed it up: “She must’ve wrecked that knee pretty bad. Seems like she’s been out forever.” And honestly, it feels that way, because it has been forever. What started as a 9-month recovery has stretched well beyond that as Cameron Brink and her team chose to prioritize full fitness and long-term health over rushing back. The injury itself was brutal to witness: driving hard to the basket, she collided awkwardly with a defender, twisting her knee so violently that it gave out beneath her. Brink collapsed in pain, needing help to get off the court.

Fortunately, that challenging chapter is behind her, and Cameron Brink is expected to return soon. The Sparks will be counting on her to regain her pre-injury form steadily, bringing much-needed defensive firepower to rejuvenate the team in the second half of the season. With Kelsey Plum leading the charge, the Sparks are eager to build on their promising victory over the Mystics before the break and maintain that momentum moving forward.