WNBA star Cameron Brink reacts to Sparks call for male practice squad

Cameron Brink, a player for the Los Angeles Sparks, recently expressed her discomfort with the idea of practicing alongside male athletes. The WNBA franchise had put out a call for male practice players via social media, which Brink found unsettling.

In a recent episode of the “Straight to Cam” podcast, Brink shared her feelings about the situation. She mentioned that the flier promoting the tryouts featured her and some of her teammates, and that she found some of the comments in response to be inappropriate and unsettling. Brink expressed a preference for male athletes who are gay, and suggested that they should go through heavy HR training before joining the team for practice sessions.

While Brink made these comments in a lighthearted manner, she also pointed out the potential challenges of practicing with male athletes, especially in terms of physicality. She joked that she wouldn’t be able to box out male players and that her coach would likely be disappointed in her rebounding efforts.

It is not uncommon for women’s basketball teams, both at the college and professional levels, to utilize male practice players. The New York Liberty, for example, have also sought out male athletes for this purpose. The Liberty emphasized the importance of evaluating male practice players to ensure they are a good fit for the team and do not have any ulterior motives.

The Los Angeles Sparks ultimately closed the practice squad application window due to overwhelming demand. The team stated that they always prioritize player safety and well-being, and that any players selected for the practice squad would undergo a thorough background check process.

Brink, who was the second overall pick in last year’s WNBA Draft, is currently recovering from a season-ending ACL injury. Despite her reservations about practicing with male athletes, she remains focused on her recovery and returning to the court stronger than ever.

Overall, the issue of practicing alongside male athletes in women’s basketball is a complex one, with considerations for player safety, team dynamics, and the overall growth of the sport. It will be interesting to see how teams like the Los Angeles Sparks navigate these challenges in the future.