Los Angeles, California – After the Los Angeles Sparks made a social media post last week calling for male practice players to try out for the team, forward Cameron Brink expressed her unease with the online response she witnessed. Brink, who co-hosts the “Straight to Cam” podcast, mentioned feeling uncomfortable with the potential new practice players and the comments she saw regarding herself and teammates Dearica Hamby, Rickea Jackson, and Kelsey Plum.
Brink, a 23-year-old who previously won an NCAA championship with Stanford before being drafted by the Sparks, highlighted her concerns about the responses to the team’s call for male practice players. She shared her reservations about playing against men in practice sessions and emphasized the importance of trust in those entering the gym for tryouts.
Despite the overwhelming response to the call for male practice players, the Sparks did not immediately provide a response to the situation. Brink mentioned how the team typically utilizes college players from USC for practice, and she expressed her hesitancy about rebounding against men in practice sessions under the leadership of the Sparks’ new coach, Lynne Roberts.
Looking ahead to the upcoming WNBA season, the Sparks are set to face the expansion team, the Golden State Valkyries, in San Francisco on May 16. The team’s preparation for the season includes the selection of male practice players and the adjustments needed to ensure effective training sessions.
As the discussion around the call for male practice players continues, the Sparks aim to focus on their preparations for the upcoming season and the challenges they will face, both in practice and on the court. The team remains dedicated to their goals and looks forward to the opportunities that lie ahead in the 2025 season.