If you don’t know, Cameron Brink has never not been a basketball star. In her college freshman season, she helped Stanford University win its first NCAA championship since the ’90s. At the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup — where she was named MVP — Brink led her national team to victory. She was the second pick of the 2024 WNBA draft, and right when the league was shooting toward stratospheric popularity. “That transition is one of the hardest in all of sports,” Brink said. “To be so depleted from playing four years in college and then going into a more physical, faster-paced league that has a ton of eyes on it.”
Suddenly a public figure, Brink was only just coming to terms with her new celebrity when a season-ending injury derailed her upward trajectory and threatened to tank her spirits.
Instead, the Los Angeles Sparks forward has taken her time on the sidelines to explore other avenues and build her personal brand beyond the sport that has dominated her life so far. “I definitely don’t let basketball define me solely anymore,” she said. This new era is all about remembering who she was before basketball, without forgetting what the sport has done for her and what it still has to give.
Suddenly a public figure, Brink was only just coming to terms with her new celebrity when a season-ending injury derailed her upward trajectory and threatened to tank her spirits.
Instead, the Los Angeles Sparks forward has taken her time on the sidelines to explore other avenues and build her personal brand beyond the sport that has dominated her life so far. “I definitely don’t let basketball define me solely anymore,” she said. This new era is all about remembering who she was before basketball, without forgetting what the sport has done for her and what it still has to give.
Basketball Is in Her Blood
Growing up, Brink had more exposure to basketball than most could ever dream of. Her godbrothers are none other than NBA stars Stephen and Seth Curry, whom she affectionately refers to as “basketball royalty.” She’s also the daughter of two former college basketball players Michelle Bain-Brink and Greg Brink, who both worked at Nike.
And yet, she said, their influence didn’t sway her. “I wanted to be the black sheep of the family,” Brink shared. Eventually, though, the basketball bug bit and a new player for a new age of basketball was unleashed. “Life has a funny way of working things out. I definitely think this was meant to be my purpose.”
Rising With the Game
By the time she got to college, basketball had captured her imagination, and it was there that her pure talent caught the attention of the sports industry.
The WNBA has undergone an elevation in popularity of late. The 2024 season was the most watched on record, attracting over 54 million TV viewers. Brink, along with a generational rookie class that included Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, rode the wave of the league’s newfound visibility, handling an intense level of focus and schedule as a prominent member of the season’s newbies. “Jumping from March Madness to draft to training camp to first professional season was dizzying,” Brink said. “I’m still learning how to figure out my life outside of basketball, so adding in the layer of being stopped in the street all the time and the online scrutiny was crazy.”
To cope, Brink sought support from her teammates at the LA Sparks, namely the 31-year-old veteran Dearica Hamby. Regularly spending her off days hanging out and doing puzzles with Hamby and her children helped keep life for the rookie as normal as possible.
Growing up, Brink had more exposure to basketball than most could ever dream of. Her godbrothers are none other than NBA stars Stephen and Seth Curry, whom she affectionately refers to as “basketball royalty.” She’s also the daughter of two former college basketball players Michelle Bain-Brink and Greg Brink, who both worked at Nike.
And yet, she said, their influence didn’t sway her. “I wanted to be the black sheep of the family,” Brink shared. Eventually, though, the basketball bug bit and a new player for a new age of basketball was unleashed. “Life has a funny way of working things out. I definitely think this was meant to be my purpose.”
Rising With the Game
By the time she got to college, basketball had captured her imagination, and it was there that her pure talent caught the attention of the sports industry.
The WNBA has undergone an elevation in popularity of late. The 2024 season was the most watched on record, attracting over 54 million TV viewers. Brink, along with a generational rookie class that included Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, rode the wave of the league’s newfound visibility, handling an intense level of focus and schedule as a prominent member of the season’s newbies. “Jumping from March Madness to draft to training camp to first professional season was dizzying,” Brink said. “I’m still learning how to figure out my life outside of basketball, so adding in the layer of being stopped in the street all the time and the online scrutiny was crazy.”
To cope, Brink sought support from her teammates at the LA Sparks, namely the 31-year-old veteran Dearica Hamby. Regularly spending her off days hanging out and doing puzzles with Hamby and her children helped keep life for the rookie as normal as possible.
Silver Linings
One month into her professional career, Brink withdrew from the court in a game against the Connecticut Sun. She’d torn her ACL. “I know injury is a part of the game,” she stated matter-of-factly, but it was a brutal blow. She’d lost out not only on completing her first season as a pro but her hopes of representing her country in 3×3 basketball at the Paris Olympics.
Five months after injury halted her play, Brink signed to Unrivaled, a brand-new 3×3 women’s basketball league whose inaugural season ended in March. “I can look forward to Unrivaled as another opportunity to play 3×3,” she said. While she won’t play for the Lunar Owls until 2026, Brink spent multiple weeks with the team during the Unrivaled season. “It’s hard being on a team but not on a team. But, they did a great job in making me feel as included as possible.”
While recovering, Brink has been able to fully explore life outside of basketball. “I’m thankful for being injured because I know I have so many other avenues that I could pursue.” One is the Straight to Cam podcast, co-hosted with Brink’s godsister Sydel Curry-Lee, sister of Stephen and Seth. The pair takes on myriad subjects — from relationships to their childhood anecdotes — in frank conversations.
Becoming a Fashion All-Star
Brink attended Paris Fashion Week for the first time during the SS25 season as a guest of Balenciaga. “I was like, ‘I need to be in this world.’ I was sitting next to Anok Yai at the show and she’s the most lovely human.” The fashion week experience was electrifying for the basketball pro, though she fell in love with fashion at a young age. “I always told my mom that to leave the house I needed to be in a mini-skirt and a little shirt, even if it was freezing out.” Now, a blazer, button-up shirt under tailored trousers and kitten heels is a go-to recipe for Brink. She joked, “I love when people are like, ‘You’re giving office siren,’ whatever that means.”
Since graduating college, she has endeavored to lean into her height after years of wishing to not stand out, choosing flats over heels even if they “completely ruined the outfit.” Now, at 6 feet and 4 inches, heels have become a core component of Brink’s closet.
Reclaiming the heel has been a healing experience for Brink, who recently invested in Louboutins. “I have a tan pair and a black pair, and they’re my favorite things ever.” She has no plans to go back to flats. “Yeah, I may be 6’9” in a pair of pumps, but I really don’t care anymore.”
Brink has worked with a few stylists since entering the WNBA.“They’re so good at pulling things for me that work for my height.” Brink and stylist Mary Gonsalves Kinney collaborate most regularly for evening and red carpet moments.“Mary does a really great job of getting the most beautiful pieces. The most fun part of the process is having everything on the rack.” Sydney Bordonaro is the brains behind many of Brink’s game-day tunnel fits. “Sydney is so fun to work with because she helps me tap into more of that street style.”
One month into her professional career, Brink withdrew from the court in a game against the Connecticut Sun. She’d torn her ACL. “I know injury is a part of the game,” she stated matter-of-factly, but it was a brutal blow. She’d lost out not only on completing her first season as a pro but her hopes of representing her country in 3×3 basketball at the Paris Olympics.
Five months after injury halted her play, Brink signed to Unrivaled, a brand-new 3×3 women’s basketball league whose inaugural season ended in March. “I can look forward to Unrivaled as another opportunity to play 3×3,” she said. While she won’t play for the Lunar Owls until 2026, Brink spent multiple weeks with the team during the Unrivaled season. “It’s hard being on a team but not on a team. But, they did a great job in making me feel as included as possible.”
While recovering, Brink has been able to fully explore life outside of basketball. “I’m thankful for being injured because I know I have so many other avenues that I could pursue.” One is the Straight to Cam podcast, co-hosted with Brink’s godsister Sydel Curry-Lee, sister of Stephen and Seth. The pair takes on myriad subjects — from relationships to their childhood anecdotes — in frank conversations.
Becoming a Fashion All-Star
Brink attended Paris Fashion Week for the first time during the SS25 season as a guest of Balenciaga. “I was like, ‘I need to be in this world.’ I was sitting next to Anok Yai at the show and she’s the most lovely human.” The fashion week experience was electrifying for the basketball pro, though she fell in love with fashion at a young age. “I always told my mom that to leave the house I needed to be in a mini-skirt and a little shirt, even if it was freezing out.” Now, a blazer, button-up shirt under tailored trousers and kitten heels is a go-to recipe for Brink. She joked, “I love when people are like, ‘You’re giving office siren,’ whatever that means.”
Since graduating college, she has endeavored to lean into her height after years of wishing to not stand out, choosing flats over heels even if they “completely ruined the outfit.” Now, at 6 feet and 4 inches, heels have become a core component of Brink’s closet.
Reclaiming the heel has been a healing experience for Brink, who recently invested in Louboutins. “I have a tan pair and a black pair, and they’re my favorite things ever.” She has no plans to go back to flats. “Yeah, I may be 6’9” in a pair of pumps, but I really don’t care anymore.”
Brink has worked with a few stylists since entering the WNBA.“They’re so good at pulling things for me that work for my height.” Brink and stylist Mary Gonsalves Kinney collaborate most regularly for evening and red carpet moments.“Mary does a really great job of getting the most beautiful pieces. The most fun part of the process is having everything on the rack.” Sydney Bordonaro is the brains behind many of Brink’s game-day tunnel fits. “Sydney is so fun to work with because she helps me tap into more of that street style.”
Focusing on the Future
Paris Fashion Week may have stoked the flames of Brink’s interest in fashion, but it also provided a backdrop for long-term boyfriend and fellow Stanford alumnus Ben Felter to propose.
With wedding planning in full swing — the ceremony will take place at the church on Stanford’s campus — Brink admitted she’s yet to choose her dress. It’s surprising that, for such a fashion fanatic, the key item is yet to be secured. However, she knows what she doesn’t want: There shall be nothing heavily sequined or excessively lacey for the bride-to-be. “I want it to be clean, well-fitting and an extension of my body.”
Brink is also looking forward to the 2025 WNBA season. Grace is her word for this year. “It’s about rediscovering myself as a basketball player. I’m going to give myself a lot of grace.” A self-confessed vent-er, she’s working on amplifying a positive mindset. “I wake up every day and I’m like, ‘I love my life, I love the people I’ve surrounded myself with. I get to inspire people. I get to move my body. I’m healthy.’ I want to approach it with a really positive mindset and find joy in every day.”
She’s also focusing on going slow, working hard and watching her career unfold organically. While still playing at Stanford, Brink became the first female basketball player to sign with New Balance — a big decision considering her parental connection to the Swoosh. However, she’s not expecting a signature shoe anytime soon. “I want to feel like I really earned it.” It is a refreshingly humble statement. “When I’m three more years into the league and I’m doing my thing, then I’m definitely going to be like, ‘I want one.’ Right now, I want to take my time.”
The road has rarely been a smooth one for Brink. As a child, she shied away from basketball, believing that “you couldn’t be feminine and also play a sport.” As a professional, “it’s been, ‘you’re too feminine,’ or, ‘you’re too skinny.’” And yet, in the face of public scrutiny and injury, she retains a serene composure. “There’s absolutely no winning in this world as a woman. So I just do it, because people are gonna have a problem anyway.”
Paris Fashion Week may have stoked the flames of Brink’s interest in fashion, but it also provided a backdrop for long-term boyfriend and fellow Stanford alumnus Ben Felter to propose.
With wedding planning in full swing — the ceremony will take place at the church on Stanford’s campus — Brink admitted she’s yet to choose her dress. It’s surprising that, for such a fashion fanatic, the key item is yet to be secured. However, she knows what she doesn’t want: There shall be nothing heavily sequined or excessively lacey for the bride-to-be. “I want it to be clean, well-fitting and an extension of my body.”
Brink is also looking forward to the 2025 WNBA season. Grace is her word for this year. “It’s about rediscovering myself as a basketball player. I’m going to give myself a lot of grace.” A self-confessed vent-er, she’s working on amplifying a positive mindset. “I wake up every day and I’m like, ‘I love my life, I love the people I’ve surrounded myself with. I get to inspire people. I get to move my body. I’m healthy.’ I want to approach it with a really positive mindset and find joy in every day.”
She’s also focusing on going slow, working hard and watching her career unfold organically. While still playing at Stanford, Brink became the first female basketball player to sign with New Balance — a big decision considering her parental connection to the Swoosh. However, she’s not expecting a signature shoe anytime soon. “I want to feel like I really earned it.” It is a refreshingly humble statement. “When I’m three more years into the league and I’m doing my thing, then I’m definitely going to be like, ‘I want one.’ Right now, I want to take my time.”
The road has rarely been a smooth one for Brink. As a child, she shied away from basketball, believing that “you couldn’t be feminine and also play a sport.” As a professional, “it’s been, ‘you’re too feminine,’ or, ‘you’re too skinny.’” And yet, in the face of public scrutiny and injury, she retains a serene composure. “There’s absolutely no winning in this world as a woman. So I just do it, because people are gonna have a problem anyway.”
