Los Angeles Sparks rookie and Team USA hopeful Cameron Brink will miss this summer’s Olympics after tearing her ACL in Tuesday’s loss to the Connecticut Sun.
Brink was stretchered off the field in worrying scenes at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut after going down with a knee injury and screaming in pain.
The 22-year-old attempted to drive the ball past Sun center Brionna J before falling awkwardly, leaving her on the ground in pain.
She was eventually helped to her feet by teammates and was able to hobble, but shook her head as she left the game to receive medical attention.
A day after the incident, scans of Brink’s injury confirmed she suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during LA’s eventual 79-70 loss to Connecticut, meaning she will now be on the sidelines for an extended period.
LA Sparks rookie Cameron Brink tore her ACL in Tuesday’s loss to the Connecticut Sun
Brink was stretchered off the field after going down with a knee injury and was screaming in pain
After undergoing surgery to repair her ACL, the Sparks small forward could be out of action for up to a year as she undergoes a lengthy rehabilitation program to get her back to full fitness.
As such, she is expected to miss the remainder of the WNBA season as well as this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris after being named to Team USA’s 3×3 women’s basketball team.
Following the devastating blow, Brink stressed on social media that she will emerge ‘stronger’ after recovering from her injury.
“You never think it will happen to you,” she wrote on Instagram. ‘And despite all the hard work, sometimes it works.
‘This is hard to fathom, but I know it will only make me stronger. I will not go off the rails and I will continue to love this life. I am not defined by basketball, but it is something I love deeply and I will work to get back to it every day.
“It’s not goodbye basketball, it’s just goodbye. I am always so grateful for your thoughts and prayers. #delayednotdenied’.
Brink was named to the US Olympic roster alongside Cierra Burdick, Rhyne Howard and Hailey Van Lith.
Brink emphasized on social media that she will come out of the other side ‘stronger’ after the injury
The Paris Games start in just five weeks’ time on July 26, meaning she will have to watch as her international teammates compete for gold in the French capital.
After being named to the roster, Brink broke down in tears before expressing her pride in representing the Stars and Stripes.
“I am so grateful to have been selected and it is an honor to represent the United States at this year’s Olympic Games in Paris,” she told The Associated Press.