The 2024 WNBA Draft class is one of the most talented in recent memory; everyone knows all about Caitlin Clark, the dynamic guard hailed as the transcendent, revolutionary individual who will change women's basketball forever. But Clark isn't the only immense talent to come out of this year's draft. Angel Reese has been making waves recently as well, while Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink has also displayed her tantalizing potential, especially on the defensive end of the floor.

Brink, however, like most rookies, has endured her fair share of struggles. In particular, Brink has not had a great past three outings. Over her past three games, she has scored a total of 16 points on 6-17 shooting from the field, a steep drop-off from the 21-point night she had in the Sparks' one-point loss against the Dallas Wings on May 26.

In fact, Cameron Brink admitted to losing confidence during the Sparks' 87-68 loss to the Phoenix Mercury back on Sunday. Nonetheless, veteran guard Diana Taurasi, who has accomplished everything there is to accomplish in her career, implored Brink to keep her head up and be kinder to herself as the 22-year old forward has a long career waiting for her.

“Diana Taurasi came to me at the free throw line and she was like, ‘You know you are going to be dealing with this crap for 20 more years.' And I was like, ‘Oh my god, not with the way I'm playing now.' And she was like, ‘No, just give yourself grace,'” Brink recounted in an interview with Isabel Gonzalez of CBS Sports.

Indeed, Cameron Brink is only 22 years old, and she'll have plenty of time to refine her offensive game. Diana Taurasi is headed for the Hall of Fame once she decides to hang up her sneakers, but she also had to endure some rough patches during her rookie campaign. It's understandable why Brink holds herself to a higher standard, but if she continues to work on her game, then the sky is the limit for the Sparks forward.

Cameron Brink is already making waves for the Sparks on the defensive end

While Cameron Brink hasn't yet impacted the Sparks' offense the way she would want to, she has been phenomenal on the defensive end of the court. As young as she is, she is already protecting the rim at a high level; standing at 6'4, she towers over most of her peers and she has maximized her physical gifts despite being just eight games into her WNBA career.

She currently ranks third in the WNBA in blocks per game, at 2.6, and she's only trailing defensive monsters Ezi Magbegor of the Seattle Storm and A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces (3.0 bpg, 2.6 bpg, respectively). It's important to note that Wilson is the two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year, while Magbegor has finished second in voting to Wilson on consecutive seasons.

Cameron Brink is already in elite company on the defensive end, and she's only getting started in her career. There is reason as well to expect her to be better offensively; in her senior year in Stanford, she averaged 17 and 12 on 51 percent shooting from the field. She also improved from year to year during her college days, so it's evident that she is a rapid improver.

Being hard on one's self is a hallmark of someone who holds themselves to a high standard. But as lofty as the Sparks forward's goals are for her career, it's important for her to note that who she is right now isn't too bad of a player anyway. The WNBA will always have a place for someone who could protect the paint like she does.

A'ja Wilson has the youngster's back

Diana Taurasi wasn't the only one who went out of her way to give some words of encouragement for Cameron Brink. A'ja Wilson, the two-time MVP and two-time champion with the Aces, also gave the Sparks forward some praise and she believes that she is in the right place for her to grow her game.

“[Cam] has a really bright future. I'm glad that the Sparks drafted her 'cause I feel like that's a great franchise for her to really grow,” Wilson said, via CBS Sports on Instagram. “Once she gets adjusted to the league and how she could really maneuver and play her way, I think she has a good future.”

 

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This message meant a lot to Cameron Brink, as the Sparks forward admitted that she has looked up to A'ja Wilson; perhaps if Brink continues to work on her game, she could find herself being in the same caliber of player as the Aces forward.

“I've obviously looked up to her for a long time. Before the [May 19 Sparks vs. Aces] game, I told her I'm really happy for her and her success. She's definitely one of the best, the MVP for a reason. She's just, she's versatile, she can literally do everything,” Brink said. “That means a lot, coming from the MVP and [I] just hope to have an impact like hers.”