This was supposed to be her big moment. In June 2024, Cameron Brink was thriving for the Los Angeles Sparks, off to what looked to be an incredible rookie season. But during a game against the Connecticut Sun, it all came crashing down. A torn ACL. Just like that, she was out for the season. Out of the running for the Paris Olympics. That one injury turned her career upside down, and Brink has been working to get back on track ever since. Recently, she dropped an update.

Eight months post-injury, Brink is in the thickest part of her recovery. She’s making her way back, slowly but surely, but it is not without difficulty. Her goal is to be completely ready to start the 2025 WNBA season, a timeline that coincides with the usual 6- to 12-month recovery time after an ACL injury. But the biggest challenge for Brink, as she is learning, isn’t just with her physical strength — it’s a mental hurdle, too.

“Honestly, like, it’s been a whirlwind. But I feel like now people don’t talk about it as much. This is the hardest part for me because I’m just finally starting to do the jumping, the running, and the cutting slightly. Not really supposed to cut yet, but you know, real impact stuff. Yeah, I went on a run the other day, running for four minutes and then walking for one minute. When I tell you, I’ve never been so gassed in my life! I’m like, I’m not an athlete right now. The same thing with shooting—I’m not making shots; I feel like I’m just having to relearn everything.” Brink’s raw honesty really hits home. We see Brink on the court, playing at a high level, and it’s easy to forget how much work goes into that.

She was averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game upon the injury. Then, in an instant, it all stopped. Understandably, it’s been frustrating for Brink. She was also frustrated with media interactions, “This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through, and so just being prompted like that, especially when I don’t feel like it’s on my own terms to talk about, I just get very emotional about it.” Brink said.

Luckily, Cameron Brink has not been navigating this alone. Her friends on Team Brink and her pals on Unrivaled teams – the Lunar Owls, in particular – have been a source of support. Having a community like that is crucial when you’re up against a challenge this big. But life isn’t all rehab for Brink. Outside the gym, she’s had some major life moments to celebrate.

Cameron Brink’s continued rise beyond court

In September 2024, Cameron Brink got engaged to Ben Felter, a Stanford rower, during a beautiful proposal at the Eiffel Tower. “Yes in every lifetime,” she shared on Instagram, and the love flooded in from friends and fellow athletes, including Angel Reese and Rickea Jackson.

Felter has been her constant support throughout this journey, and she’s grateful for the way their relationship has grown. “I don’t think we’ve been any closer in our relationship,” Brink said. Whether it was helping her during her non-weight-bearing phase or celebrating the little victories along the way, Felter has truly been by her side.

While in recovery, Cameron Brink didn’t let up on the academic front, either. She finished her communications degree remotely and found a lot of solace in her academic journey. “Being able to go into classrooms with such amazing minds… made me a lifelong learner,” she said. It’s a reminder that she’s more than an athlete.

Even though basketball was on hold, Brink wasn’t out of sight. She co-hosted a podcast with Sydel Curry. She starred in the New Balance campaign. And continued to showcase her humor and personality in LegalZoom ads and on a prank show. It’s evident Brink is a presence in more ways than one.

Cameron Brink’s story is still being written and while the journey has been incredibly challenging, it’s clear she’s moving forward with strength and determination—on her own terms.