IN PHOTOS: Former Stanford star Cameron Brink's mother Michelle and Gamecocks HC Dawn Staley snapped together while collaborating on signature shoe

The former Stanford Cardinals star, Cameron Brink, was first introduced to the WNBA by her mother, Michelle Bain-Brink, who once worked as a product line manager at Nike. She worked on Dawn Staley's and other WNBA players' signature shoes.

Cameron has always credited her parents for helping her grow her love for basketball. Her parents, who played basketball in college, introduced her to the sport.

The WNBA rookie, talking to Sports Illustrated Lifestyle, mentioned her mom's connection with the iconic South Carolina HC, Dawn Staley. The following pictures show Michelle's connection with three-time national champion Dawn Staley, Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings and Connecticut President Jenn Rizzotti.

Cameron Brink was inspired by these powerful women who have etched their name in sport history. She also noticed that the media and public also fell in love with Staley, Cathchings and Rizzotti's playing styles and overall personalities.

---

Dawn Staley pulled a prank on Cameron Brink

When Brink was going to get awarded with the Naismith Women's Defensive Player of the Year award, she met the Gamecocks HC on her way. It was a hilarious moment as Staley tried to recruit the small forward to her team for the next season.

Staley hugged Brink and jokingly said that she would take her name out of the WNBA draft and instead play for the South Carolina Gamecocks next season.

“I’m here to make an announcement. Cameron Brink will take her name out of the WNBA Draft and come to South Carolina,” Staley joked in the video.

Brink kept on laughing and trying to shut off Staley but was unsuccessful. The two then hugged each other again and posed for photographs together.

The former Stanford star was selected as the second pick of the 2024 WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Spark and made her professional debut on May 4, 2024. She started for the Sparks in the 84-79 win against the Seattle Storm.