Cameron Brink is yet to participate in on-court practice in 2025 but is edging closer to returning from a serious knee injury.

Brink, 23, tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee last June, ending her debut WNBA season for the Los Angeles Sparks. The injury also ruled her out of the Paris Olympics, where she was expected to play in the 3×3 tournament for the United States.

Brink, who was the second overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft behind Caitlin Clark, is hoping to be healthy again as soon as possible, with the regular WNBA season starting in May. Yet she won’t be fit in time for the start of the Unrivaled league later this month.

The Sparks star has signed up to play for the Lunar Owls on a two-year contract but will not feature during the inaugural season in 2025. The tournament, founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, starts on January 17 and concludes two months later.

Unrivaled teams have started practicing ahead of the opening games, with Brink joining her Lunar Owls teammates on Tuesday. Yetn the former Stanford superstar, who picked up a NCAA championship ring in 2021, did not participate in on-court practice.

“I’m not able to do a ton,” Brink told reporters. “I’m just really appreciative that I’m able to be here and that my teammates are super accepting of me and cheering me on from the sidelines. I haven’t been able to do a ton, but (I’m doing) more and more every day.”

Brink picked up her injury while playing for the Los Angeles Sparks

Brink picked up her injury while playing for the Los Angeles Sparks ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

Brink’s absence in 2024 was felt by both the Sparks and the national team. Los Angeles finished bottom of the WNBA standings, having slipped from 4-10 to 8-32 after losing Brink to injury during June’s nine-point defeat to the Connecticut Sun. The Sparks will again be picking second in this year’s WNBA Draft, as the Dallas Wings won the lottery.

The United States, meanwhile, was forced to settle for a bronze in the 3×3 tournament at the Olympics after losing a semifinal to Spain in overtime. Brink helped her country win the gold medal at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup the previous summer.

The young star is thankful to the Unrivaled league for giving her a two-year contract, despite not being fit enough to play this year. “It means a lot to be here and that the Unrivaled team and people want me here to see what’s going on for next year,” Brink said.

“It’s a great opportunity. (Unrivaled) invited me, so I said why not take advantage of being around the best players [and] have great teammates. I hope to get stronger and advance in my recovery process.”

The Lunar Owls are one of six teams playing in the inaugural Unrivaled season. The other five are the Laces, the Mist, the Phantom, the Rose, and the Vinyl.