Cameron Brink, a player for the Los Angeles Sparks, has expressed her discomfort with the team’s recent decision to invite male athletes for practice squad tryouts. The Sparks announced this initiative through a social media post, which prompted a mixed reaction from fans and players alike.
Brink, who was the second overall pick in last year’s WNBA Draft, voiced her feelings during a podcast called "Straight to Cam." She said she felt "icked out" by the idea of practicing alongside male players. This sentiment highlights her concerns about the dynamics of such practices, especially regarding physicality and safety.
The Sparks had called for male practice players to fill out a waiver and register for tryouts. Brink noted that the team usually recruits college players from USC, but the announcement led to a flurry of comments online, many of which made light of the situation. She mentioned that some comments were inappropriate, focusing on her and her teammates in ways that felt uncomfortable.
In light of the situation, Brink suggested that if male players were to join their practices, they should be thoroughly vetted, preferably being openly gay to ensure comfort. Her co-host on the podcast, Sydel Curry-Lee, echoed this by suggesting that potential practice players should undergo extensive HR training.
Despite the concerns raised, the Sparks stated that they have a long history of using male practice players, which is common in both the WNBA and women’s college basketball. They emphasized that all selected players would go through background checks to ensure a safe environment for their athletes.
The team eventually closed the application process for the practice squad due to an overwhelming number of applicants, indicating significant interest in the opportunity. Brink acknowledged her comments were partly in jest but reiterated the importance of player safety and comfort in practice settings.
Brink had a challenging season last year, averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in June. As the Sparks prepare for the upcoming season, the discussion around male practice players continues to spark debate within the league and among fans.