Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Cameron Brink, Rhyne Howard, Van Lith Lead USA Women's 3x3 Olympic Basketball Roster

Doric Sam

Los Angeles Sparks center Cameron Brink has gotten off to a solid start in her rookie year, and she's now earned the opportunity to compete for an Olympic gold medal.

Brink was named to the Team USA 3-on-3 basketball team for the Paris Olympics on Wednesday along with TCU guard Hailey Van Lith, Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard and former WNBA forward Cierra Burdick.

The No. 2 pick in this year's draft, Brink has started all eight games for the 2-6 Sparks and is averaging 8.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists. While her offensive numbers are somewhat modest, she has shown signs of being a force on the defensive end, averaging 1.1 steals and ranking third in the WNBA with 2.6 blocks per game.

Van Lith was an All-American during the 2022-23 season when she played for Louisville, and she transferred to LSU last season in hopes of competing for a national championship. Unfortunately, the team fell short against Caitlin Clark's Iowa squad in the Elite Eight and she chose to transfer to TCU after the season after averaging 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in her lone year with the Tigers.

Howard hasn't taken long to establish herself as one of the top players in the WNBA, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2022 and All-Star selections in each of the last two seasons. She's averaging 16.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists while ranking second in the league with 2.6 steals this season.

Burdick is the most experienced player on the team, as the 30-year-old has competed in numerous 3-on-3 events and won gold medals at the Pan American Games and the FIBA World Cup.

Team USA is seeking a second straight women's 3-on-3 gold medal following the win by Jackie Young, Stefanie Dolson, Allisha Gray and Kelsey Plum at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

   

Read 0 Comments

Download the app for comments Get the B/R app to join the conversation

Install the App
×
Bleacher Report
(120K+)