A rising star's remarkable transformation is set to shake up the WNBA's award race!
When Cameron Brink first stepped onto the Unrivaled stage, her time was limited due to foul trouble, with only seven minutes of action. In her initial seven games, she consistently accumulated three or more fouls, often reaching five or four fouls per game. However, her recent performances have shown a remarkable improvement. In her last four games, Brink has managed to keep her fouls under control, with only one game exceeding two fouls.
In the Breeze's recent victory over the Vinyl, Brink's defensive prowess was on full display. She committed just two fouls while recording an impressive four blocks. During the broadcast, Lisa Leslie revealed that she had been working with Brink and her teammate, Dominique Malonga, on strategies to avoid foul trouble. This development could be a pivotal moment in Brink's journey towards the coveted Defensive Player of the Year award.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Brink's ability to block shots effectively while minimizing fouls could be the key to her success. If she enters the award conversation, it will disrupt the dominance of A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Alanna Smith, who have been the frontrunners in recent seasons.
Brink is an exceptional shot blocker, and her college career at Stanford is a testament to that. She consistently averaged at least 2.6 blocks per game across her four seasons, with a remarkable 3.7 blocks per game as a senior, making her the best shot blocker in her draft class.
Her transition to the WNBA was seamless, as she quickly established herself as a rim protector. In her rookie season, before an ACL injury, she averaged an impressive 2.3 blocks per game in the first fifteen contests. In just her second professional game, she recorded an astonishing five blocks against the Aces. During May 2024, only Ezi Magbegor and A'ja Wilson averaged more blocks per game. In June, Brink tied with Wilson and was closely followed by Alanna Smith. However, her foul rate was also a concern, averaging four per game.
In 2025, both her blocks and fouls saw a significant decrease as she worked her way back from injury, averaging just 12.8 minutes per game.
The upcoming season will be Brink's first fully healthy WNBA campaign, and her offseason experience in Unrivaled will undoubtedly contribute to a standout season. The Sparks and fans across the league have only caught glimpses of her potential.
If Brink can maintain her health and continue her impressive shot-blocking while keeping her fouls in check, she will be a strong contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award for years to come. Blocked shots carry significant weight in this award category, and bigs have traditionally dominated the voting. The last time a wing/guard won was in 2018 when Alana Beard achieved this feat for a second consecutive season.
So, what do you think? Will Cameron Brink's improved performance make her a serious contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
