Can Cameron Brink lead Stanford back to top before making WNBA leap?

Cameron Brink is unsure if this will be her final season at Stanford, as she contemplates declaring for the WNBA draft. However, she knows she has the option to enter the draft next year as well. One thing is certain: Brink will play a pivotal role in the Cardinal offense this season, and head coach Tara VanDerveer will rely on her to deliver a strong performance. As a top contender for the national player of the year award, Brink will be expected to produce even more, especially after the team’s bench was shortened and All-America guard Haley Jones graduated.

Last season, Brink already took on much of the responsibility, leading the team in points (15.1) and rebounds (9.6) per game, shooting 48% from the floor, and setting a school-record with 118 blocked shots. She was recognized as the WBCA Defensive Player of the Year, received multiple All-America honors, and was a Naismith Trophy finalist.

This season, Brink’s role is expected to expand further. Stanford, ranked 15th, enters its season opener against Hawaii on Wednesday as the third pick in the Pac-12, its lowest preseason ranking in the conference since 2016-17.

Brink has grown more confident as a player. Coach VanDerveer attributes this to her role on the team, her relationship with her teammates, the respect they have for her skills, her improvement, and her confidence in herself and her coaches. Everyone can see how much effort she puts into her game.

Brink and other players, such as Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and Connecticut’s Paige Bueckers, face the decision of whether to enter the WNBA draft after this season or wait until the next draft, when the league may add one or possibly two new teams, including one owned by the Golden State Warriors.

While playing professionally in the Bay Area would be a dream for Brink, who is a close family friend of Warriors guard Stephen Curry, she is focused on the current season. She has always known she wants to play in the WNBA, but the timing of her entry is still uncertain.

The Cardinal face the challenge of not having the same post presence as last season, with players like Lauren Betts transferring to UCLA and Fran Belibi and Ashten Prechtel graduating.

Nevertheless, Brink feels prepared for this season. She believes she ran the offense last year and has become skilled at passing and finding open players when she’s double- or triple-teamed. She sees it as good practice for what she will face this year.

While Brink’s performance at the free-throw line has been exceptional, ending last season with 48 consecutive makes, it remains to be seen if she can become a threat from beyond the arc. She took just one three-pointer in the final 11 games last season and will prioritize other responsibilities unless Coach VanDerveer instructs otherwise.

In addition to her scoring, Brink’s improvement in other areas of the game will be crucial. Her career has been marked by foul trouble, which has at times kept her off the floor during critical moments. This problem will need to be addressed for her to have an even greater impact on the court.

With Jones no longer on the team, it is clear that Brink is now the leader. This season, the Cardinal may face some doubters for the first time in a while. However, they can rely on having one of the best players in the country leading the way, at least for one more season.

Brink expresses her satisfaction with the team’s chemistry and camaraderie, stating that they are all on the same page and love being together. She couldn’t be happier to be at Stanford.

For inquiries, contact Marisa Ingemi at [email protected] or on Twitter at @marisa_ingemi.

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Rachel Adams

Rachel Adams is your WNBA insider, delivering comprehensive coverage of women’s basketball. With a commitment to highlighting the talent and achievements of WNBA players, she provides game analysis, player profiles, and inspiring stories from the league.