Cameron Brink is already showing signs of unicorn potential after just one game in her WNBA career

In the past five seasons, only 11 WNBA players listed at 6-foot-4 or taller have played at least 500 minutes while averaging at least one made 3-pointer per game. Among this group, just six players also averaged at least one block per game. This small group includes Amanda Zahui B., Breanna Stewart, Azura Stevens, Candace Parker, Jonquel Jones, and Elena Delle Donne.

Interestingly, this trend does not seem to be growing. The youngest player in this group, Stevens, is already 28 years old. Parker has retired, Zahui B. is not currently on a WNBA roster, Charles is nearing the end of her career, and Delle Donne is on hiatus with an uncertain return date. This type of player, who can defend the paint while also stretching the floor on offense, remains rare in the WNBA.

In her WNBA debut, Brink, a 6-foot-4 rookie from Stanford, showed glimpses of her potential as a ground-breaking big. While her debut with the Sparks was relatively quiet, notable for avoiding the struggles of other rookies like Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese, Brink played 20 minutes, scoring 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Despite this, Brink also demonstrated her defensive prowess with two blocks, both on mid-range jumpers, showcasing her length, awareness, and mobility. While shot-blocking was expected from her, her ability to smoothly hit spot-up 3-pointers was a pleasant surprise.

In college, Brink was not known for her 3-point shooting, averaging just 26.7 percent over the last two seasons. However, her 2-of-3 performance from beyond the arc in her WNBA debut, along with attempting three 3-pointers in just 20 minutes, suggests a potential expansion of her offensive game. While it’s just one game, these early signs indicate that Brink could be a transformative player in the WNBA, combining defensive prowess with newfound offensive skills.