Cameron Brink breaks her silence on male practice player tryouts for LA Sparks
What seemed like a simple effort to strengthen training sessions ahead of the 2025 WNBA season unexpectedly stirred controversy and mixed reactions.
Cameron Brink, along with key teammates like Rickea Jackson and Kelsey Plum, became the face of the announcement, something that didn’t sit well with her.
During a conversation on Straight to Cam, her show with Sydel Curry-Lee, the forward expressed her concerns, particularly about how some men reacted to the post.
“Honestly, this makes me uncomfortable,” Brink admitted. “It’s as if anyone could just show up to train with us, and some of the comments on social media were pretty unsettling.”
Cameron Brink explained that in the past, the Sparks typically used players from USC, who had experience working with women’s teams.
However, by opening tryouts to the general public, concerns arose regarding respect and safety in the training environment.
“Seeing comments like ‘I want Cameron Brink to guard me’ or similar remarks about my teammates makes me wonder who is actually going to be walking into the gym,” she added.
The star player clarified that she wasn’t opposed to having male practice players but emphasized the importance of maintaining a professional and respectful training atmosphere.
“I’m not going to hurt anyone on the court, but I do hope that whoever joins our practices is someone we can trust,” Cameron Brink concluded, noting that even head coach Lynne Roberts would likely call her out if she didn’t go hard for a rebound.
This situation has sparked a broader discussion about the role of male practice players in the WNBA and what it truly means to train alongside a professional team.