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LA Sparks star Cameron Brink has sent a message to Layshia Clarendon after they announced their retirement from the WNBA. Brink, who only played 15 games this campaign, reposted Clarendon's retirement post on her Instagram story.
"The lesson I’ve been learning this last year is that everything comes to an end. The time has come for my basketball career to end. I am deeply at peace with this choice as my mind, body, and spirit know unequivocally that it’s time to move on. The saying is that athletes have 2 deaths," Clarendon captioned the post.
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"Our careers and our true last breaths. I can tell you, I have been deeply in mourning over this loss. I’ve loved this game with every ounce of my being," they added.
Brink shared one of the pictures Clarendon posted with a four-word caption.
"Love you lay forever!!! 💜💛," Brink wrote.
Even though she only played 15 games this season, Cameron Brink appeared to have created deep connections within the LA Sparks. She averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals and a stunning 2.3 blocks per game. If not injured, she would've probably had a case for the Rookie of the Year award.
As for Clarendon, they're retiring relatively young at 33 years old. The guard played 21 games this season, averaging 4.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg and 2.6 apg with the Sparks. For their career, they average 7.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg and 3.2 apg in 284 games.
What happened to Cameron Brink?
Cameron Brink, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, saw her season cut short in the middle of June after picking up an ACL injury. During a duel against the Connecticut Sun, Brink was taking off to go for a bucket against her defender when she fell awkwardly and hurt her knee.
Brink was forced to watch the rest of the season from the sidelines as the Sparks struggled to find consistency. Not even Dearica Hamby's remarkable run, Rickea Jackson's good performances or the return of Azurá Stevens could help them improve their level.
Having Cameron Brink back will be crucial for the team if they want to show a better face in 2025. Brink is part of the rookie class expected to mark an era in the WNBA, and fans have reason to be excited about her return.
