The Los Angeles Sparks draftees are eager to bring their knowledge to the pro level for training camp.
The 2024 WNBA second overall pick Cameron Brink recalled Sparks head coach Curt Miller had a different coaching style than her previous coach: former Stanford women’s basketball head coach Tara VanDerveer.
“I just love to learn from all different types of coaches, all different styles of play,” Brink said. “I do know that [Miller] takes post players and takes them to places that they can’t get on their own.”
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Last year, Brink competed for Team USA in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup, earning a gold medal and VIP honors. She is currently playing alongside her new teammate Dearica Hamby in the 2024 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Rickea Jackson—the fourth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft—is not only ready to learn, but ready to win. Her competitive mindset comes from competing with her brothers daily during her formative years.
“I want to win no matter what, I want to do what it takes to win. I love winning cultures,” Jackson said. “Growing up the only girl in an all-boys household it makes you a little tough.”
All three players had experience either playing with or against each other. Jackson mentioned how elated she was to have McKenzie Forbes as a teammate with Team USA.
“I remember her just getting buckets … she has a very, very high IQ with basketball,” Jackson said. “Excited when she was on my team, wasn’t so excited when she wasn’t.”
Forbes followed the coaching style of Miller during his stint with the Connecticut Sun.
“I’ve always loved their style of play,” Forbes said. “[It] definitely breeds high-IQ players, beautiful offenses.”
Forbes, a Folsom, CA native and a former Women of Troy basketball player, felt Blessed to continue her career on the West Coast. She knows that transitioning to the WNBA will be rigorous but there are people and resources available to help rookies persevere.
“Your college career puts you through a lot of ups and downs. Obviously, it’s a different level,” Forbes said. “Leaning on those same support systems that got you to this point, leaning on our vets … a lot of them has already reached out.”
