Cam Brink was one of the brightest lights of the WNBA’s headline rookie class, beginning her professional career with the Los Angeles Sparks. However, she has experienced a significant setback in the form of an injury that will keep her out not only for the remainder of the WNBA season, but also from the 2024 Summer Olympics, when she was scheduled to compete on Team USA’s 3v3 team.
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever rookie guard and women’s basketball sensation, might fill the unfilled place on the 3v3 team. Clark was controversially left off Team USA’s Women’s Basketball squad last month.
First and foremost, Cam Brink has sustained a ruptured ACL, a significant setback for a man with virtually boundless potential as an already excellent rim protector and developing offensive player.
She is a vital member of USA Basketball’s elite 3v3 team, teaming up with TCU guard Hailey Van Lith, Atlanta Dream forward Rhyne Howard and Valencia Basket Club forward Burdick.
Cam Brink will be unable to play, leaving a space on the team. Why not bring on Caitlin Clark as the team’s fourth member?
Caitlin Clark was one of the last few players eliminated from the five-on-five roster, indicating that she is obviously capable of making the team. The NCAA’s all-time top scorer, following a brilliant four-year career at Iowa, has had an up-and-down start in the WNBA. However, her game complements the 3v3 game nicely.
International 3v3 basketball is played on a court that is slightly shorter than half the length of a conventional court and has a 12-second shot clock. Games are played to 21, counting 2’s and 1’s, and the ball must be returned behind the three-point line after any change of possession. The game time is limited to ten minutes, so things move quickly. Here’s a glimpse of what gaming looks like.
That appears to fit Caitlin Clark well. Giving such a talented attacking player that much space would only make her more dangerous. At the moment, one of her most difficult challenges in the WNBA is adjusting to scoring against set defences in the halfcourt at this level. That wouldn’t be a problem here.
The only legitimate reason to keep her off the team is that they want to replace Cam Brink’s 6-foot-5-inch frame. But Howard and Burdick are 6-foot-2, while Clark is 6-foot. They would be a smaller squad with Clark, but her potential in the format may be too great to pass up.
And, while it shouldn’t matter who is chosen, watching Caitlin Clark play 3v3 basketball would generate extremely high television ratings! It would be one of the most anticipated events of the Summer Olympics.
