Life as a rookie in the most competitive sports league

Below is a conversation between Los Angeles Sparks forward and WNBA rookie Cameron Brink and Fastbreak on SI’s Dustin Schutte. Brink works with EVO to promote implantable collamer lenses (ICL).

There is no more competitive league in American sports than the WNBA. Even for Cameron Brink, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, the transition from college to the pros is incredibly challenging.

Brink recently spoke with Fastbreak on SI to discuss her debut season, the relationships she built with the historic WNBA rookie class, the teammates she leaned on early in her career, and much more.

Ask: What was the biggest difference for you in the transition from the college game to the WNBA when you started your rookie career?

Edge: “I would say, coming into it, not fully realizing how quick the turnaround is. After a tough college season where you’ve made it pretty far (in the NCAA tournament) and played a lot of minutes, you go to an even more physical league, where it’s quicker. It’s a really tough transition that people don’t talk about enough. It’s really tough, but it’s worth it.”

Ask: There were a lot of expectations for this WNBA rookie class of 2024. As a member, did you feel pressure to perform at a high level right away? Or did you expect that of yourself, regardless of the outside noise?

Edge: “There’s always pressure. I always make something good out of it — pressure is a privilege. I would say there’s always more internal pressure when you’re around the best athletes. Everyone always puts more internal pressure on themselves. So I’ve always had high expectations for myself.

“The games I played (in the WNBA), I think I played really well. So I’m just going to take that into next year.”

Ask: When you’re going into the league with another rookie like Rickea Jackson and you’re going through it together, does it make the transition process easier for you knowing that you’re not alone?

Edge: “Oh, 100 percent. She’s my girl. I really love her. She’s doing so well right now. It definitely means a lot to have someone by your side who’s going through the same thing, who knows what it’s like to have those nerves and not really know what’s going on. She’s the best.”

Ask: Is there a veteran player at that same level with the Los Angeles Sparks, or maybe the WNBA in general, that you looked to for advice early in your career?

Edge: “Definitely Dearica Hamby. She’s a huge source of stability, not just for me but for the whole team. She’s just a great role model and I really admire and respect her. And then, someone who got injured at the beginning of the season, it was just great to see how she handled everything — Azura Stevens. She had a wrist injury.

“I saw how she was there for everyone, even when she was injured. How she cheered really hard and how she was involved in what was happening. Her mentorship meant a lot to me too.”

Ask: I mentioned the much-vaunted rookie class earlier, is there a bond you have with other members of that class? Is there a special connection? Do you all lean on each other?

Edge: “I’ve really made an effort on my own behalf to reach out to everyone. I think that’s gone a long way. We’re all going to support each other. We’re under unprecedented pressure and ratings — we’re not going to take it for granted. It’s a big deal and it’s something that’s fun.

“When I see them, I love talking to them. I definitely think we can all call each other and vent to each other, trust each other.”

Ask: What kind of things did you do to connect with the others?

Edge: “Just myself, honestly, I’m an outgoing person. It was a cool change, from competing against them in college to now at the draft. We spent a lot of time together from event to event. It was really tiring.

“The day after we get called up, we have to go to office meetings, that’s just how it is. They’re a really good group of girls.”

Ask: During your time on the court in the WNBA, was there a specific aspect of your game that you felt you fit in with? And then another aspect that you need to improve on?

Edge: “Definitely defense (that’s where I played the best). I think that’s obvious. I did a good job of holding my own. Offensively, I still think I did a great job of trying to navigate a new offense that’s completely different than what I did in college.

“I think there is room for improvement overall.”

Ask: How have the EVO Implantable Collamer Lenses ICL improved your vision on and off the field?

Edge: “I’ve had problems with my vision since I was in the fourth grade. I’ve been wearing contacts since I was young. So, having something that gave me peace of mind — I wouldn’t lose my contacts during a game, I could play without having to worry about turning my contacts in to my coach.

“It’s really life changing to wake up and be able to see. It’s a big deal. I got my bad eyesight from my dad, so I blame him. But now I feel like I’ve forgotten what it’s like to have to put in contact lenses every day and deal with that. It’s absolutely life changing.”