During this part of the 2020s, the landscape of women’s professional basketball is undergoing a radical evolution, where we see stars of the WNBA increasingly defining themselves not just by their performances on court, but by their influence in other industries like fashion, media, and business.
Recently, a new conversation regarding this multidimensional branding took center stage as Los Angeles Sparks star Cameron Brink addressed the growing buzz surrounding a potential appearance on a Playboy cover.
The spark for this discussion came from Kysre Gondrezick, as the legendary guard became the first Black professional basketball player to be named a Playboy Playmate. Now that Brink navigates the intersection of elite athletics and modeling, the support from her friend and college has turned a “maybe” into one of the most talked-about topics of this WNBA offseason.
The Brink and Gondrezick connection
First of all, the bond share is rooted in more than just shared career goals; it is forged in the mutual respect of two athletes who have faced the grueling reality of long-term injuries. Gondrezick is currently in the early stages of a difficult recovery following a torn Achilles suffered in January while training for the Athletes Unlimited season.
In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Brink was quick to shift the spotlight to her friend’s resilience:
“I just want to shout out Kysre though because she’s a good friend of mine and she’s going through a really tough recovery right now, but I know she’s going to kill it. She looked absolutely beautiful [in Playboy]. So I support absolutely anything she does
Gondrezick, who was featured as Playboy’s Miss June 2025, wasted no time returning the love. Responding to the buzz on her X account, Gondrezick playfully nudged the Sparks forward to follow in her footsteps: “Oh yeah I’m buying the next issue @cameronbrink22.”
“If my fiancée approves”
While the modeling world is knocking Cameron Brink’s door, the player is getting better as she recently celebrated her first “post-injury” dunk in the Unrivaled 3×3 league. She also remains grounded by her personal life, and when asked if she would officially join the ranks of Playboy Playmates, Brink revealed that the decision is not hers alone. She said with a laugh:
“We’ll see, maybe if my fiancée approves
That fiancée is Ben Felter, a former Stanford rower and tech entrepreneur who proposed to Brink in Paris in September 2024. The couple, who have been together since 2021, are reportedly planning a wedding this 2026. Brink’s comment highlights that she prioritizes being on the same page as the “love of her life” before taking on such a personal project… that can be a bit controversial for some.
However, if Brink decides to pose, it would not be her first step into bold photography. She has previously modeled for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and took part in a striking, nude photoshoot for the outlet PLAYERS, in an experience she described as empowering and comfortable.
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