Professional basketball is a glamorous sport where the rumors come with the fame. Cameron Brink, one of the WNBA’s rising stars, recently found herself at the heart of speculation about a possible romance with the Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. But this gossip has started a conversation about the struggle for women athletes when trying to lead a professional and personal life. And for Brink, her experience isn’t entirely new—fellow athlete Angel Reese knows exactly what it’s like.

Cameron Brink decided to clear the air during an episode of her new podcast, Straight to Cam. Dusting off the dating rumors, she explained, “It all goes back to pre-draft days. There was this video that mentioned Jimmy Butler or some random NBA player. It didn’t have to be turned into that narrative every time.” Brink denied the rumors, saying there was no truth to the rumors.

Known for being a WNBA supporter, Butler has attended Brink games and even worn her jersey. These acts of solidarity may have fueled the rumors. While Brink admits that she has always been a fan of Butler, her admiration for the NBA star didn’t just begin with the gossip.

She’s always looked up to him as a role model. Both for his work ethic and his versatility, and hopes she’ll model her own career after him.  “I want to make a similar impact in the WNBA,” she said, referencing Butler’s influence on her career aspirations.

Cameron Brink also spoke candidly about the wider issue of women athletes being put under the microscope for very personal reasons. Something she has in common with her peer Angel Reese. “It’s the same with other WNBA players,” she said.

“I know Angel goes through the same stuff. It’s like we’re always under the microscope—nothing can just be professional.” Reese, who has dealt with similar public attention, understands the pressure Brink is talking about. After her high profile breakup with fellow basketball player Cam’Ron Fletcher, Reese has been relatively open that she wants to keep her private life to herself. But that does not stop the followers to brew a connection.

The struggle for respect 

Reese was frustrated with the media’s focus on her relationships. “I don’t think I’ll ever get into another public relationship unless I’m getting married,” Reese said. Not only making her stance on her love life clear on her podcast, the seventh-overall pick also had to repeat herself time and again. 

“I’m not nobody’s girlfriend. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Chicago No. 5 as she went live on her Instagram. This was back when she was being connected to the Detroit Pistons’ power forward Jalen Duren last year.

Both stories illustrate that there’s a recurring problem for female athletes in the media. Which is being defined by personal lives rather than their professional accomplishments. Cameron Brink, in particular, voiced this concern when she said, “Nothing can just be professional. It can get so weird.”

They’re also reminders that women athletes are subject to powerful scrutiny. Though they have undeniable skill and work hard, many of these athletes are sometimes overshadowed by relentless speculation over their relationships.

Cameron Brink and Angel Reese’s attitude to privacy reminds us all that respect and boundaries are important for sports stars when it comes to their private lives too, and as they grow in the industry they’re in. Like their male counterparts, female athletes should be recognized for their talent and achievements, not reduced to tabloid fodder. Privacy should be a given, not an exception to respect.