Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink may have had her rookie season unceremoniously cut short by a nasty ACL tear, but she’s already bouncing back – and not in the way you’d expect. Instead of dunking on defenders, Brink’s making her debut in a different kind of game, one where blocked shots are frowned upon and posing is a serious sport: the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Yes, you read that right. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft is trading sneakers for swimwear, proving that an ACL injury isn’t going to keep her from flexing her star power – and by star power, we mean rocking the pages of a magazine that’s known for turning up the heat.
“I’ve always loved SI Swimsuit,” Brink admitted on Podcast P with Paul George, because of course, when you’re sidelined from basketball, the next logical move is to slay on the beach. She added that the experience is “super empowering.” And by empowering, we’re assuming she means empowering herself to become the WNBA’s biggest dual-threat: on the court and on the cover.
From Blocks to Bikinis
Brink, whose fashion game is as strong as her defense, has been a trendsetter even before her rookie season. Known for her runway-worthy pregame tunnel looks, she’s now taking that style to the sands of Boca Raton for her swimsuit debut, rubbing shoulders (and probably sunscreen) with a lineup of extraordinary female athletes.
According to SI editor-in-chief MJ Day, this edition of the swimsuit issue is all about celebrating women who “defy stereotypes” and “champion equality.” Brink, with her blend of dominance and elegance, fits the bill perfectly. After all, this is the same player who was twice named Pac-12 Player of the Year, three-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and literally shattered Stanford’s record for blocked shots. Now, she’s shattering another stereotype – that basketball players only shine on hardwood floors.
A Rookie Season Cut Short – But Not Too Short
Brink’s rookie season came to a screeching halt after just 15 games – cruelly interrupted by a torn ACL that put her 2024 WNBA debut on ice. Her averages? A respectable 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Not too shabby for a rookie – when healthy, she was already showing flashes of why the Sparks bet big on her.
But let’s be real – recovering from a major knee injury can be a long, grueling process. And rather than simply rehab in peace, Brink decided to add a little flair to her downtime with the SI Swimsuit shoot. So while her Sparks teammates were out there sweating in training camp, Brink was “working hard” too – just with less sprinting and more beach waves.
NIL Queen and Brand Ambassador Extraordinaire
In the meantime, she’s making moves off the court that rival her on-court hustle. Brink is no stranger to the world of sponsorships, becoming the first female basketball player to sign with New Balance. Not stopping there, she’s added Urban Decay, Optimum Nutrition, and SKIMS to her growing portfolio – because apparently, building an empire is what you do while you’re sidelined.
But hey, she’s not just a pretty face with a killer jumpshot. Brink’s also passionate about giving back. She founded the Next22 basketball camp, which trains young girls to be ballers while blending in life skills – because mentorship, in between photo shoots and rehab, is just another way Brink spends her time.
Cameron’s Big Comeback – On Two Fronts
International accolades? Yeah, she’s got those too. Brink led Team USA to gold in the 2019 FIBA Under-19 and Under-18 World Cups, and just last summer, she snagged MVP honors at the FIBA World Cup in Vienna. But as impressive as those medals are, they’ll have to share shelf space with her SI Swimsuit spread.
If you’re keeping score, Brink’s off-the-court achievements are as jaw-dropping as her on-court prowess. But with 2025 fast approaching, it’s safe to say that fans are eagerly awaiting her comeback season with the Sparks – ACL fully healed and ready to dominate.
Between her SI debut and the upcoming WNBA season, Cameron Brink’s got more heat coming than a three-point shooter in a game of H.O.R.S.E. So while she may not be swatting shots right now, she’s definitely making waves. Quite literally.
