Many have already claimed that this WNBA season’s storyline is going to be about physicality and injuries. Apart from the WNBA itself, however, seems like the 3×3 USA Olympics roster is also getting affected by the injury woes. On Tuesday, Cameron Brink fell to the ground with what now has been determined a tear in her left ACL. The Sparks rookie was all set to leave for Paris for the 3×3 event. Now, not only can she not participate, but her teammate there, Rhyne Howard, also has bad news for the remaining players– Hailey Van Lith and Cierra Burdick.

In Atlanta’s road game last night, Rhyne Howard came crashing down to the floor as she twisted her ankle. With the game clock reading 4:30 left in the third quarter, Kayla McBride of the Minnesota Lynx earned the possession of the jump ball. However, Howard quickly made it her possession and ran towards her end of the floor. But with 4:24 remaining, she twisted her ankle as she stepped on Minnesota’s Courtney Williams. Although Haley Jones successfully made the bucket, Howard had to be carried off the floor.

Tanisha Wright, the Dream’s head coach, took a full timeout consequently to make alternative plans for the game. Unfortunately, Atlanta lost yet another game to the rampaging Minnesota Lynx. After the game, the head coach Wright assessed that she has no update on Howard’s condition as of now. She will be further evaluated on Thursday.

Rhyne Howard’s probable ankle sprain may bring her back to the floor by the time the team leaves for Paris. However, the 3×3 event is much more intense and fast-paced, which just might mean that the Olympics selection committee will replace her too. As of Cameron Brink’s left knee ACL tear, it is already determined that she will be missing the rest of her rookie season. This will, of course, also mean that some other player will replace her for the Olympics.

Cameron Brink and Howard’s falls may force changes to the 3×3 USA Olympics team

After Brink’s sad announcement, many coaches and players came forward to console the young reigning National Defensive Player of the Year. In the well-wishers was her former coach at Standford, Tara VanDerveer. She expressed her belief in Cameron Brink. WanDerveer said, “She was so excited about her rookie season and the Paris Olympics. This is so incredibly disappointing. Fortunately, she is a young and incredibly talented and competitive player. I know she will work really hard to get back.”

For now, the selection committee will have to find other players who can replace these two young and skillful talents on their roster. Previously, Katie Lou Samuelson of the Indiana Fever had to be replaced in the same event. Hence, this marks the second time that the roster will be refurbished. However, the team won a gold medal back in 2021. Possibly, that will happen once again.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.