Stanford has crossed the brink of history this year.
The Cardinal was the runner-up in the Pac-12 championship after a season during which head coach Tara VanDerveer passed Mike Krzyzewski for most wins in college basketball.
The team captured their fourth consecutive regular-season conference title with a boost from Cameron Brink. The senior forward, who’s listed as 6-4, is averaging a double-double and is a player to watch as Stanford seeks to make a run in the NCAA tournament.
Brink, who won the 2021 national championship with the Cardinal, was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year after dominating on both ends of the court all season.
Besides her prowess on the hardwood, Brink, known for her physical play and signature blond braids, has a solid NIL portfolio and family ties to NBA star Stephen Curry.
Here is what you need to know about Stanford star Cameron Brink:
Cameron Brink stats
Cameron Brink averaged 17.8 points and 12.0 rebounds per game this season with Stanford. Her boards average ranks third in the country. She also leads the nation with 3.5 blocks per outing.
In a Pac-12 matchup against Oregon State on the road, she had 25 points and 24 rebounds, a career-high. The 67-63 win gave Stanford the Pac-12 regular season crown.
Brink leads the country with 406 blocks during her four-year career.
Cameron Brink awards
Cameron Brink was named the 2023-24 Pac-12 Player of the Year for her performance this season. She earned her third straight conference Defensive Player of the Year title.
Even though she’s listed as a forward, the senior is also a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award given to the nation’s top center.
Brink is among the 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
Cameron Brink injury
Cameron Brink suffered a left leg injury in January against Oregon. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, she went to the locker room after a collision and then returned to the bench, where she iced her knee and calf.
“Obviously, our team is really close and when Cam went down it’s upsetting,” VanDerveer said after the 88-63 win. “We have to keep playing but basketball is a game of spurts.”
Brink sat out only one game, a matchup against Oregon State during which VanDerveer notched her 1,203rd victory to become the winningest coach in college basketball history.
The forward returned to the starting lineup against Arizona State and had 20 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.
Cameron Brink WNBA draft
This will be Cameron Brink’s last college basketball season.
She was one of many players that fans were anxious to see whether she was going to stay for an optional fifth year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Stanford’s senior night last month, Brink said that she was still undecided on her future as fans chanted, “One more year!”
Before the NCAA tournament, she shared on X, formerly Twitter, that she was not going to take the extension and declared for the WNBA draft.
Connecticut’s Paige Bueckers will remain on the Huskies next season while record-breaking Iowa guard Caitlin Clark also opted to go pro.
Cameron Brink NIL deals
Cameron Brink has more than half a million followers between her Instagram and TikTok accounts. Her rising profile on the court has led her to several NIL deals.
Before the season, she became the first women’s basketball player to sign with New Balance.
“Cameron’s exceptional skill on the court and her desire to give back align perfectly with New Balance’s desire to change the game for the better,” the Boston-based athletic company said in a statement at the time. “We are excited to support Cameron reaching new heights in her career and contributing to the growth of women’s basketball for years to come.”
She is also a brand partner with Buick and was a part of their “See Her Greatness” campaign last year.
According to NIL website On3, Brink has deals with Icy Hot, Chegg, Daps collectibles, and Stanley cups (the one all the moms are raging about, not the NHL trophy).
Cameron Brink’s connection to Stephen Curry
Cameron Brink is Stephen Curry’s godsister. Dell and Sonya Curry, the Golden State Warriors star’s parents, are Brink’s godparents. Steph has attended a handful of Brink’s games.
Dell and Brink’s father, Greg, both played on the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team. Sonya and Brink’s mom, Michelle, were roommates at the school.
Ahead of the 2021 NCAA tournament when Stanford won the national championship, the 10-time All-Star spoke on how he helped Brink refine her game in high school and how impressed he was with how she took her talents to the next level.
“She was trying to develop her jumper and I spent a little bit of time with her, gave her some pointers. My dad did as well. But just in terms of your development, you put the work and the time in, every year, you’re going to get better. She’s taken advantage of that,” Curry said. “… To see her in college, I know she’s gonna keep getting better, honestly. I don’t really have to tell her much now. She’s kind of off and running, so it’s been awesome to watch.”
Stanford’s next game in NCAA Tournament
Brink and the Cardinal earned the No. 2 seed in the Portland Regional 4. Their first opponent will be Norfolk State (27-5), whom they will play Friday, March 22 at Maples Pavilion in Stanford, California. The winner of that game will take on the winner of No. 7 Iowa State vs. No. 10 Maryland on Sunday, March 24.
The No. 1 seed in Stanford’s region is Texas, which they would not have to play until the regional final.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cameron Brink, Stanford star, has unique family tie to Steph Curry
