The WNBA's 2024 rookie batch has been one of the most talked about topics in basketball recently. Fresh off collegiate stardom, the spotlight has followed several prized rookies over to the pros. One young star getting plenty of shine is Cameron Brink. A forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, Brink inked an NIL deal with New Balance during her time with Stanford last year, making her the first female basketball player under the brand. And just recently, Brink paid tribute to fellow New Balance athlete Coco Gauff.

Ahead of her game against the Indiana Fever, Brink wore a sleeveless polo and a skirt that resembled Gauff's usual clothing style on the tennis court.

“I want to be like Coco,” Brink said, per Sports Illustrated's Pat Benson.

It didn't take long before news of the forward's outfit reached Gauff, and the Tennis sensation responded with an uplifting choice of words.

“It was really cool,” Gauff said, per The Tennis Letter. “I haven't got the chance to meet Cameron yet, but obviously been watching her a lot when she was at Stanford. And now seeing her in the WNBA is great, and I definitely want to try to catch a game.”

“There are a couple of players I want to see. I wasn't expecting it, and it was very nice of her. I think she rocked the fit better than anybody could have. Yeah, I hope one day maybe — New Balance is my team. I hope they give her a signature shoe one day, and I can rock it too for my press events. Yeah, she's awesome,” Gauff added.

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Brink joins a growing number of female athletes under New Balance. Besides her and Gauff, Olympic gold medalists Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Kendall Ellis are two of several others signed with the brand.

Cameron Brink: from Stanford to LA 

Cameron Brink (22) yells in excitement Tuesday, May 28, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

As for Brink herself, the forward's rise to stardom started at Stanford, when she became one the NCAA's most dominant players in the paint. During her senior year, Brink led all Division I players in blocks, averaging 3.7 a game. She also made her presence felt by tallying 17.4 points and hauling down 11.9 boards per game. Brink finished her final Stanford campaign with a Sweet 16 appearance.

Now in the pros, the rookie has already been placed into the Sparks' starting lineup, where she's averaged 9.1 points and 5.4 rebounds through seven games. Her defensive prowess seems to have translated to the WNBA already; Brink currently tallies 2.7 blocks per game. She's the third-best shotblocker in the league, just behind Seattle Storm center Ezi Magbegor (3.0 bpg) and Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilson (2.8 bpg).

The Sparks have only won two games so far, but on the bright side, they have a promising rookie who's expected to make leaps of improvement as she gains experience.