Before she ever set foot back on the hardwood, Cameron Brink—a 6’4″ dynamo fresh off an ACL recovery—stepped into the sun-drenched world of high fashion and left it reeling. Nearly eleven months removed from that June 2024 ACL tear, Brink is navigating the final stretch of her rehabilitation with a blend of steely determination and cautious optimism.
In her debut Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photoshoot, the Los Angeles Sparks young star traded sneakers for the pristine sands of Boca Raton, Fla., transforming from a towering rim‑protector into an icon of style and empowerment in a single frame.
That first glimpse, captured by veteran photographer Ben Horton against a backdrop of swaying palms and cerulean waves, reminded fans why Brink’s presence commands attention, whether under arena lights or under the Florida sun.
Cameron Brink’s WNBA Colleagues Laud Her SI Swimsuit Debut
Brink’s inaugural SI Swimsuit portfolio was shot on location at The Boca Raton resort, where she posed gracefully in a series of striking swimwear looks, including cut‑out one‑pieces by Tropic of C, and sleek two‑pieces from ViX Paula Hermanny. Accessories by Gorjana and Château Des Saints added the final touches.
In an accompanying SI Swimsuit feature, she reflected on her journey from NCAA champion at Stanford to WNBA rookie before her season was cut short by injury, noting that the shoot offered a chance to celebrate herself as a woman and as an athlete.
Cameron Brink 2025 SI Swimsuit photos. 👇https://t.co/H1l9zmR1q3 pic.twitter.com/0JrnN2CJXo
— Roger (@sir_roger1) May 13, 2025
Brink’s SI Swimsuit debut was a platform to address the complexities of body image for female athletes. In candid interview excerpts, she admitted, “I think it’s always really hard to be a woman in this world, but especially a female athlete. Am I supposed to look more feminine? Am I supposed to look more athletic? What’s the balance? What do people think?” Brink told The Athlete Lifestyle.
“My femininity, I hold that very close to my self image. It’s definitely gone back and forth. I think every female athlete [has] had a really rough go with body image, but I’m definitely glad I’ve gotten to a really good place, and I’m able to do stuff like this with SI Swimsuit. It’s just very empowering. So I hope everyone can get to a point like this.”
The digital drop of Brink’s SI gallery ignited an outpouring of admiration from peers and family alike. Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier—no stranger to high‑profile modeling herself—reacted on Instagram with a single word, “Stunning.”
On the same post, Sparks teammate Kelsey Plum left only red‑heart emojis, while Indiana Fever guards Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham chimed in with “Perfection” and fire emojis, respectively.
What Comes Next for Brink?
In 2024, the New York Post reported that the 23-year-old Princeton, New Jersey native called the SI Swimsuit gig, “one of my dream jobs” during an appearance on “Podcast P With Paul George.” The latest May 2025 SI Swimsuit issue made this full‑circle experience all the more meaningful for her.
While the bulk of SI’s swimsuit season unfolds pool/beachside, Brink has an even bigger comeback lined up on the hardwood. With her rehabilitation on track, she is slated to return to the Sparks’ lineup around the 2025 WNBA All‑Star break.
Her return will not only bolster the Los Angeles Sparks’ frontcourt rim protection but also serve as an inspirational blueprint for young athletes facing similar hurdles.