Cameron Brink kicked off June with what seemed like the ultimate career high: securing her spot on the U.S. 3×3 team for the Paris Olympics. Her selection was hardly a surprise, given her stellar performance alongside Hailey Van Lith and Cierra Burdick in clinching gold at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Rhyne Howard also earned her place on the Paris squad, despite not being part of the championship-winning lineup.
However, the tides turned swiftly for Brink. Just weeks later, her Olympic dreams were shattered by a torn ACL suffered during a game between the Sparks and Sun on June 18. The injury not only dashed her hopes of competing in Paris but also prematurely ended her rookie season in the 2024 WNBA, where she had already begun to make a significant impact after being drafted second overall.
Despite this setback, the show must indeed go on for Team USA. With the Paris Olympics looming, the team now faces the urgent task of finding a suitable replacement for Brink. Here’s a look at some of the top contenders vying for her spot:
Cameron Brink Olympic replacements
Here’s a rundown of potential replacements for Cameron Brink on the U.S. 3×3 Olympic team:
Dearica Hamby: Why not replace a Spark with another Spark? Hamby’s having a breakout season with Los Angeles, making her the obvious frontrunner. She’s got the 3×3 experience, having played in the FIBA Springfield stop and clinched the 2023 AmeriCup gold with MVP honors, averaging a jaw-dropping 16.6 points, 10.0 assists, and 7.0 rebounds. Plus, she’s a seasoned member of the 5×5 National Team and the 2022 World Cup Qualifying Team. Currently averaging 18.3 points and 10.7 rebounds, she’s on fire!
Stefanie Dolson: Standing tall at 6-5, Dolson’s Olympic pedigree speaks for itself, having been part of the 3×3 Tokyo roster. Her international experience and veteran leadership would be invaluable for this year’s squad. Although she hasn’t been in a USA Basketball training camp since 2022, her contributions with the Mystics this season (8.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game) show she’s still got game.
Allisha Gray: Another strong contender, Gray’s 6-0 stature and past accolades, including being USA Basketball’s 3×3 Athlete of the Year in 2021, make her a compelling choice. Her recent participation in the national team’s training camps underscores her readiness. Averaging 15.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in the WNBA this season, she brings both skill and experience to the table.
Aliyah Boston: Despite missing the initial Paris roster, Boston’s emergence as the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year speaks volumes. Her contributions on the Olympic Qualifying Tournament team and previous national team rosters highlight her potential. Standing tall at 6-5, she’s bounced back from a rough start in her sophomore WNBA season to deliver three consecutive double-doubles, averaging 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
Caitlin Clark: For those dreaming of Clark stepping in, hold your horses. The Fever rookie missed out on both the 5×5 and 3×3 Olympic squads due to FIBA eligibility rules, as she hasn’t played 3×3 basketball before. Unless a spot opens up on the 5×5 team, she won’t be Paris-bound.
Each contender brings something unique to the court, from experience and accolades to sheer talent and potential. As the clock ticks closer to Paris, the decision won’t be easy, but one thing’s for sure: Team USA has plenty of firepower to choose from!
