Cameron Brink is part of a historic rookie class in the WNBA. Never before has women’s basketball been so popular on the collegiate and professional levels.
Brink, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and the rest of this year’s high-profile athletes have helped to move the needle in a way that has not been seen before.
Although this meteoric rise is a great thing for the league and its players, as with anything, there is a downside to the growth. With the new generation of fans brings a new generation of haters. And haters are often louder than the supporters.
Brink is still trying to get comfortable with all of the additional attention. Especially all of the negative. She is not alone!
The No. 2 overall pick spoke about the new reality during an appearance on Podcast P with Paul George.
Prior to the last few years, women’s basketball players were not nearly as relevant in sports as they are today. Brink is astute enough to recognize the stark increase in interest.
We’re not used to people actually paying attention to us, you know?
— Cameron Brink
A lot of people, mostly males, chime in on the conversation surrounding the WNBA even though they don’t watch the games. Their comments on social media can be toxic. They often reflect a disconnect between online interaction and reality. Behind every screen is a real person and negativity can take a toll.
Fortunately, Brink taking it in stride. She has been able to lean on nine-year veteran Dearica Hamby while she adjusts to the professional level.
All these mad ass men in the comments, we’re just laughing at them. Like, y’all are so weird…
— Cameron Brink
The two Los Angeles Sparks bigs are quickly learning, together, how to let all of the hate roll off of their backs. It is uncharted territory for them!
Cameron Brink doesn’t fully understand the sudden growth.
While the momentum surrounding the WNBA is something for which Brink is extremely grateful, she can’t quite wrap her head around the timing. What sparked the overnight interest?
The obvious answer is Clark, but players like Sabrina Ionescu came before her and didn’t create the same amount of stir on the professional level as she did in college. So what changed?
I’m not going to lie, it’s all been confusing, to be honest. It’s like, “why now?”
— Cameron Brink
Media coverage is a big part of the equation. As Cameron Brink said, where they water the grass, it grows. But that doesn’t fully explain why the pendulum swung so far in favor of the WNBA.
It’s such a crazy shift […] I guess better late then never. It’s a great shift, but it’s also like…
I’m not going to lie. I think our draft class is special, but there were so many draft classes before us that were just as talented. So I think it’s just a change of the times.
— Cameron Brink
While Brink knows role that she has played in the seismic growth of the league, she wants those who came before her to understand their role as well. It is something that the 22-year-old has made a point to convey during her young career.
I’ve been really vocal about this, but I hope they know that it’s so much respect on my end. I hope they know that it’s because of them that we are here now.
— Cameron Brink
As this rookie campaign continues, Brink is excited to keep learning from the veterans. The opportunity to be a part of the WNBA during this rise is one that she does not take fore granted!
Cam Brink’s full appearance on Playoff P is found here: