Cameron Brink, the promising Stanford alum and Los Angeles Sparks rookie standout, is heading to Florida for a groundbreaking new basketball opportunity. The 22-year-old forward is the latest player to join Unrivaled, a first-of-its-kind professional women’s 3-on-3 basketball league co-founded by WNBA superstars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. The league is set to make its inaugural tip-off this January in Miami.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE announcing her commitment to Unrivaled, Brink revealed that she sought advice from a very special source before signing on: her godbrother, Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry.
“When the league was just forming, we did chat about it — and yeah, I think Steph is in full support of it,” Brink said. “He thinks it’s a great idea and he knows I love the round-three basketball.” For Brink, having the endorsement of one of the NBA’s most respected and innovative players provided extra assurance that she’s making a positive move.
A New Basketball Frontier
Unrivaled promises a unique format: six club teams playing a compact, full-court 3-on-3 style. This isn’t the standard 5-on-5 game that fans are used to. Instead, it’s a fast-paced, skill-intensive format that has caught the attention of high-level players looking to refine their craft and gain an edge. Brink will take a wildcard spot on the Lunar Owls Basketball Club, joining Collier on the roster.
“It’s just a really great way to train in a different way,” Brink explained. “Not playing five-on-five, it’s going to be completely different, and I think it’s really going to help people develop their skills.” She added that Curry’s enthusiastic response reinforced her conviction that this new environment would challenge and improve her game.
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A Family Connection to the Game
Brink and Curry’s connection runs deep. Their families have been close friends since before either athlete was born, forging bonds that transcended geography and time. The Brink family became godparents to the Curry children, and the Currys returned the favor for Cameron. As a result, Brink has grown up viewing Stephen, Seth, and Sydel Curry as god-siblings. Over the years, she’s watched Stephen and Seth excel in the NBA, learning from their work ethic and their ability to handle both success and scrutiny.
“They’re both huge role models for me, so their support means the world,” Brink said in a previous interview. Now that Brink is carving her own professional path, having advice from someone like Stephen—who revolutionized the NBA game with his shooting and spacing—can offer invaluable insight into taking calculated career risks.
Commitment Despite Challenges
Although Brink is officially joining Unrivaled, fans won’t see her on the court during the league’s debut season this January. She’s currently rehabbing from an ACL tear in her left knee that cut her rookie WNBA season short. The injury and subsequent surgery forced her to reimagine her goals for the coming months.
“Obviously, I won’t be playing, but I will be supporting full-fledged,” Brink confirmed. Instead of competing, she’ll utilize the league’s top-tier training staff to further her rehab process. She’ll also immerse herself in the league’s culture, assisting behind the scenes, possibly contributing to the league’s content creation efforts, and cheering on her teammates from the sidelines. This approach allows her to remain engaged while preparing for a return to action when she’s fully recovered.
At around five months post-op, Brink says she feels optimistic about her progress. She’s begun easing back onto the court for light shootarounds, a sign that her rehabilitation is on track. “I feel really good. I’m not close to being back, but that’s fine,” she said. “That’s just part of the process, but I truly feel really good and that’s a testament to the people I surround myself with.”
Eyes on 2026 and a New Style of Basketball
Brink’s long-term plan is clear: by the league’s sophomore season in 2026, she aims to be ready to play. With a year of growth, healing, and strategic skill development behind her, she hopes to make a significant impact on the court.
Beyond her personal comeback, Brink sees Unrivaled as an opportunity to elevate women’s basketball and introduce fans to a dynamic style of play. “I hope it just brings more eyes to the sport, and honestly, more eyes to three-on-three,” she said. “I think it just brings great eyes to different types of basketball. It’s not your regular five-on-five. It’s going to be more fast-paced, and it’s going to showcase people’s talents in a different way.”
For Brink, joining Unrivaled is about more than just finding a place to compete after an injury. It’s about pushing the boundaries of her game, exploring a new format, and being part of a pioneering league that could reshape the landscape of women’s basketball.
With the support of her mentors, family, and godbrother Stephen Curry, she’s stepping confidently into this exciting new frontier, ready to grow, adapt, and embrace what the future holds.
