Cameron Brink may still be sidelined from WNBA action due to injury, but the Los Angeles Sparks forward made sure to pause her comeback preparations to celebrate the one person who’s supported her every step of the way: her mother, Michelle Bain-Brink.
Ahead of Mother’s Day, the Click Clack podcast kicked off a new series honoring the women behind the athletes, and Michelle was featured in the premiere.
A touching video montage showed Michelle alongside Cameron through the most significant chapters of her career – from her time at Stanford and Team USA appearances to her emotional 2024 ACL injury.
The video’s caption read, “Behind every great athlete is a mom. Their love, commitment, sacrifice, and heart to raise their kids to achieve greatness deserves more than a day.”
Brink reshared the post on her Instagram story with a simple three-word message that said it all: “Best mom ever.”
Michelle Brink’s role in Cameron’s rise to stardom
The tribute captured just how much Michelle has influenced Cameron‘s life, both personally and professionally.
A former college basketball player at Virginia Tech and an executive at Nike, Michelle understood the balance between performance and personal development – but she never forced her daughter into the sport.
“She kept asking her and probing. ‘Why Cameron? Why don’t you just try?'” Michelle said, recalling how Sonya Curry – Cameron’s godmother and the mother of Steph and Seth Curry – encouraged Cameron to explore basketball. But Michelle’s approach was always grounded in autonomy: “They have to want to do it,” she said.
Once Cameron committed to the game, Michelle made it her mission to support her without reservation. Whether it was dropping off books and macarons during quarantine or nurturing her daughter’s confidence, Michelle became a constant source of encouragement.
Even during recovery from her ACL tear in June 2024 – which ended her rookie season and dashed her Olympic hopes – Michelle remained by Cameron’s side. One of her most memorable messages was: “With you for every step baby girl.”
Sparks preparing for a stronger season with Brink set to return
The Los Angeles Sparks struggled last season, finishing with the league’s worst record. But with a new head coach and key roster changes – including the acquisition of Kelsey Plum – the team is hopeful for a turnaround in 2025.
“We have a really good new offense coming,” Brink said in a recent interview. “We’re all just really high-motor players, competitive – we’re a really competitive team – so I think we will surprise people.”
The Sparks, currently listed at +6000 to win the WNBA title, are seen as long shots by oddsmakers. But they’re not concerned with the predictions. “We don’t have a lot of pressure and that’s what’s so beautiful about it. We can just go out and play hard,” Brink added.
Before her injury, Brink was a defensive powerhouse. In just 15 games, she averaged 2.3 blocks per contest – second-best in the WNBA. Her return could be the key to stabilizing the Sparks’ defense, especially with veterans Dearica Hamby and Rickea Jackson providing experience and scoring.
As Brink continues her rehab and looks forward to suiting up again this summer, her emotional tribute to her mother is a reminder of the support system behind every athlete. Through every setback and every celebration, Michelle Bain-Brink has been there – and Cameron’s message made it clear: she always will be.
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