Cameron Brink is part of a historic rookie class that has already changed the entire landscape of the WNBA and Kelsey Plum is happy to help with her transition from college to the pros. She is taking a very different approach than Diana Taurasi.
Plum wants to see Brink succeed!
Taurasi, one of the greatest players in league history, was not particularly kind to the first-year players.
She issued a stern warning to Caitlin Clark about the next level and insulted a whole new generation of WNBA fans while trying to clear up her comments. The 10-time All-Star and three time champion also went out of her way to bully Nika Mühl in the UConn standout’s first-ever preseason game.This is not to say that Taurasi is a bad person or unkind. However, she made it abundantly clear that she wants to “kill rookies” at every opportunity and is definitely not alone in that thinking. Every veteran in every sports wants an opportunity to stunt on the youth.
On the flip side of that conversation, Erica Wheeler is making sure that Clark finds her place in the WNBA and took the No. 1 overall draft pick under her wing. They both play for the Indiana Fever so it makes sense that the former would want to see the latter succeed.
And then there is Kelsey Plum!
While Taurasi gives the rookie class something of a cold shoulder, the reigning back-to-back WNBA champion is going out of her way to help an opponent. Plum is helping Brink reach her full potential even though they both compete against each other in the Western Conference.
Cameron Brink landed the cover for the most recent issue of SLAM Magazine. In her multi-page centerfold spread, she revealed how the 29-year-old Las Vegas point guard has been in her corner.
They were connected through legendary trainer Susan Borchardt. Plum has been a “sounding board” for Brink and what she can expect in the W.
They’ve set my standards very high that it’s going to be really hard and that I’m going to get beat up. I’m really going to give myself grace and know that there’s a learning curve, but also be hungry and know I deserve to be here.
— Cameron Brink, via SLAM
Although she was the No. 2 overall pick out of Stanford, there is a lot of room for growth. Brink is a defensive force. Her offense continues to be a work in progress.
I have a lot of goals for my game. I think what I appreciate about myself is I feel like my ceiling is still so high. I will always value defense, and I feel like teams can always use my defense—rebounding, shot blocking—but I think I have so much [room] to grow on the offensive side of the floor. I’m willing to put in the work to make my perimeter shot better, my ball handling, all that good stuff.
— Cameron Brink, via SLAM
Plum is going to help Brink get to where she needs to be as best she can. As is Borchardt.
Her rookie campaign begins on Wednesday night as the Los Angeles Sparks host the Atlanta Dream. Meanwhile, Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury face Plum and the reigning champion Aces on Tuesday!
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