Tag: Cameron

During her final year playing basketball at Stanford University, Cameron Brink became a household name. It was a watershed year for women’s basketball—one in which the NCAA championship tournament garnered record-breaking views and young athletes became instant superstars. 

And while Brink’s fame seemed to happen overnight, it was clearly the result of years of hard work and an impressive college career. Her team was the 2021 NCAA champions and four-time Pac-12 champions from 2021 to 2024. Brink herself has earned several Pac-12 Player of the Year awards, a three-time Associated Press All-American, WBCA Defensive Player of the Year award, and more. And earlier this year, she became the second overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.

Cameron Brink: I’m still getting my routine down [now that I’m in the WNBA], but one thing I find essential is a nap. I didn’t used to be a napper, but now I take one before every single game. I also like to listen to a meditation on my phone. For me, it’s just about taking time for myself.

Brink: I’ve been doing some long-term work leading up to the games by working with a sports psychologist. Through the WNBA we have some great people to work with, which has been awesome. But that work takes more time. 

In the moment, I like to take some time to do breathwork. It’s very important for me to have that time to recenter. 

I was such a skeptic of it before. I was like, Really? My breath is going to do all that? But it’s become my biggest tool! The games can be such a loud, crazy environment—so anything that you can use to quiet down before everything gets crazy is important. 

Brink: The best thing I’ve learned is to just build your habits so they can be consistent. That way when you do it before bed, it just feels like you’re going through what you’re doing every night—even on the nights before big events. 

I go through my whole skin care routine—I love skin care—and then my boyfriend and I will watch a show together. You’re really not supposed to be on screens before bed, so we at least try to put our phones away. 

Brink: I’m not a picky eater—I’m also not the healthiest eater. But of course, I make sure I get my basics. 

I’ll do a bowl or something where I can eat complex carbs like a sweet potato, healthy fats like an avocado or olive oil, and a good amount of protein. Before games, it’s more carbs. 

Brink: My favorite recovery brand is Hyperice by far. They have the best recovery boots. I was given a pair that are portable—not the ones you plug into the big battery—which is great because we travel so much. Being able to bring them with me everywhere has been great.

Brink: I’ve really kind of leaned into being a girly girl, especially this season. I like to shop. I like to do my makeup. I like to do my skin care. I feel like it’s super meditative for me, getting ready for things. 

Brink: You know, you’re right—I need to finish my undergrad first though. 

Brink: I actually hold a camp for young girls in Beaverton, Oregon. It’s probably my fourth year doing the camp now. It’s just for Oregon girls now, but it’s all about giving back to them. 

And my main messaging is just to stay involved in sports! Or even if your hobby is not a sport—maybe at the end of the day, you’re just like I really don’t like sports—just stay involved in something where people challenge you. It’s important to feel like you’re growing every day. These activities are also important for building bonds and friendships. 

I feel like basketball is just such a great opportunity for that. During the camp, we obviously go through a lot of skill work, but my favorite part is the lunch Q & A. We just sit down and we have frank conversations. I’m an open book. I tell them they can ask me anything, and we have great conversations. 

Brink: [Since my ACL injury] I feel like my role on the team has changed. I feel like it’s given me the opportunity to pour in all the way into being a great teammate and being there for my people. Game days look different for me right now, but I can still sit on the bench and be a great cheerleader for my teammates.

I feel like in the WNBA, there’s a stigma of veterans only looking out for themselves. Or that the people are only there for the paycheck. But my team is really special. 

Brink: It’s been such a crazy year for me, but I can truly say that I’m so lucky to play this sport for a living because every day is filled with so many of those little pockets of joy. Walking into the gym with my new puppy. Talking with my teammates. Making these bonds. I also find a lot of joy on game days.