Sparks rookie forward Cameron Brink suffers torn ACL

Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink will miss the rest of her WNBA rookie season and the Paris Olympics after suffering a torn ACL in her left knee during Tuesday's game against the  Connecticut Sun.

The Sparks announced the injury Wednesday. Brink, the No. 2 selection in the 2024 draft, had started all 15 games for the Sparks this season.

"You never think it will happen to you," Brink wrote in a post to Instagram. "And despite all the hard work sometimes it does. This is hard to fathom but I know it will only make me stronger. I will not be derailed and I will continue to love this life -- I'm not defined by basketball, but it is something that I love deeply and I will work everyday to get back to it. It's not goodbye basketball it's just a see you later. I'm always so thankful for your thoughts and prayers."

Brink entered Tuesday averaging 8.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. Less than four minutes into Tuesday's 79-70 loss at Mohegan Sun Arena, Brink appeared to slip while driving to the basket. She had to be helped off the court after sustaining the injury.

Once over to the sideline, she was forced to stop in pain. A pair of Sparks personnel lifted Brink off her feet and carried her to the locker room.

Brink, who won a national championship with Stanford in 2021, earlier this month was named to the four-member U.S. women's 3x3 team for the Paris Olympics. She must be replaced on the Olympic roster.

"Our thoughts are with Cameron as we wish her a speedy recovery," USA Basketball said in a statement. "As a result of Cam's injury, USA Basketball will begin the process of selecting an athlete to join the 2024 USA 3x3 Women's National Team. We hope to see Cam back on the court and representing the red, white and blue soon."

Recently retired Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer told ESPN that she has "total confidence that [Brink] will be back better than ever next season."

"I feel so badly for Cam," VanDerveer said. "She was so excited about her rookie season and the Paris Olympics. This is so incredibly disappointing. Fortunately, she is a young and incredibly talented and competitive player. I know she will work really hard to get back."

This is the second Olympics in a row in which the U.S. women's 3x3 team will need to replace a player selected to the squad. In 2021, Katie Lou Samuelson was on the 3x3 team but then couldn't go to the Tokyo Games after being diagnosed with COVID-19. The Las Vegas Aces' Jackie Young took her place, and the Americans won gold in the inaugural year for 3x3 in the Olympics.

As for the Sparks, they must move on in 2024 despite a crucial part of their franchise rebuild being out the rest of the season. Los Angeles has missed the playoffs the past three seasons. With a 4-11 start, it isn't in good position for this postseason so far, either.

The Sparks still have rookie forward  Rickea Jackson, who was the No. 4 pick in the WNBA draft and is averaging 10.3 points and 3.6 rebounds. Li Yueru, a 6-foot-7 center from China who is in her second WNBA season, also will be looked to for more minutes. She played a season high 26 minutes Tuesday after Brink's injury.

The Sparks also are awaiting the return of 6-6 center/forward Azura Stevens, who has yet to play this season as she recovers from a left arm injury. Stevens has averaged 9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds in her six-season WNBA career, which includes a championship with the Chicago Sky in 2021. Stevens averaged 10.8 points and 5.9 rebounds last season with the Sparks.

The Sparks (4-11) head to New York to play two games against the Liberty on Thursday and Saturday.