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Watch: Sparks rookie forward Cameron Brink's block saves game for L.A.
Sparks rookie forward Cameron Brink saved the day for Los Angeles in its 70-68 win over the Washington Mystics.
The No. 2 overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft blocked Mystics center Shakira Austin's tying field goal attempt with 0.2 seconds remaining, and the Sparks held on for their first win of the season.
You're not getting past Killa Cam! @cameronbrink22 x #TheNewClassic pic.twitter.com/dbQ72nd7IT
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) May 22, 2024
The former Stanford Cardinal has quickly made an impact on the defensive end of the court in her first three games. On Tuesday, she recorded four blocks and three steals to go along with seven defensive rebounds.
Per Across The Timeline, she's the first rookie with at least four blocks and three steals in a game since Breanna Stewart on May 26, 2016.
Brink's 15 combined steals and blocks ("stocks") are tied for the third-most in a WNBA player's first three games in league history and only trail Candace Parker (16) and Tamika Catchings (17).
Her incredible defensive start shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. At Stanford, Brink was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year three times. She finished her collegiate career second in conference history in blocks (424) while also ranking first in defensive rating (71.1).
Austin was held to 5-of-14 shooting for Washington, which dropped to 0-4 with the loss.
Brink and the Sparks will next host fellow rookie Caitlin Clark and the Fever on Friday.
More must-reads:
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Exciting Kate Martin News Emerges on Saturday
The Golden State Valkyries have stunned much of the WNBA community in their first season as an official franchise. During the 2025 offseason, Golden State selected its roster with an expansion draft. One of the key additions to the Valkyries roster, whom they selected from the Las Vegas Aces, was Kate Martin. The former Iowa Hawkeyes star is currently playing in her first season with Golden State and second season in the WNBA. On Saturday, Martin took to social media to reveal her official partnership with Rakuten, a Japanese technology conglomerate based in Tokyo. Martin explained that her partnership with Rakuten will include details on her pregame tunnel outfits, giving fans a glimpse of one of her looks in her latest post. "Excited to share I’m teaming up with Rakuten throughout the season to share my pregame tunnel looks," Martin said. "Check out my IG story to shop the look from last night’s game at Saks with Rakuten and score Cash Back." Kate Martin has built a strong following on social media over the past several years, leading to off-court opportunities like this partnership with Rakuten. She was widely regarded as one of the most popular players in the college landscape before her time with the WNBA. Martin played five seasons with the Iowa Hawkeyes, competing alongside former NCAA star and current Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. Throughout her second season in the WNBA, Kate Martin has posted 6.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. The Golden State Valkyries are fresh off an 86-76 victory over Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings on Friday. Martin missed the game against Dallas, but Valkryies head coach Natalie Nakase made it clear that there is no injury concern with the Golden State guard.
Maple Leafs Top Prospect Shatters Expectations at World Junior Showcase
The World Junior Summer Showcase is in full swing, and Maple Leafs top prospect Ben Danford is shattering expectations, truly proving how good of a player he can be. The Toronto Maple Leafs' defensive prospect, Ben Danford, is among the 44 players who were invited to Hockey Canada's World Juniors Summer Showcase. Hockey Canada finally unveiled the 44 prospects who will head to Minnesota for the showcase, after they held the roster release back while the organization dealt with several injuries, which begins Sunday and runs through August 2 in Minneapolis. Defensive prospect Ben Danford is the only Maple Leafs player invited to the annual showcase, where Canada's World Junior staff will get their first look at what their team might look like for the 2026 World Juniors, which will also take place in Minnesota in December. Danford is being called the best player at the World Juniors Summer Showcase Danford has been exceeding expectations, and one source revealed that he has been the best player at the World Junior Showcase so far. The source said Danford is steady, smart, and hard to ignore on the ice. 'Ben Danford has been the best player at the World Junior Showcase he's steady, smart, and impossible to ignore. Makes every shift count, whether he's breaking up plays or starting the rush. Canada's blue line is in good hands.' - An unnamed source The Maple Leafs selected Danford with their first pick (31st overall) at the 2024 NHL Draft. During his visit to Toronto's development camp earlier this month, the defender revealed that he's receiving mentorship from current Leafs defensemen as well as some alumni like Mark Giordano. The 6-foot-2 Danford could make for an excellent fit for Canada should he make the team. He is responsible in his own end, and he demonstrated leadership capabilities when he was named captain of the Oshawa Generals ahead of the 2024-25 OHL season.
Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal
Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.
Mets re-sign veteran hurler to one-year deal; option struggling reliever to minors
Ahead of Tuesday's game against the San Diego Padres, the New York Mets are making more changes to the bullpen. The Mets announced that they're optioning righty reliever Huascar Brazobán to Triple-A Syracuse, and are re-signing fellow righty reliever Chris Devenski to a one-year major league deal. Devenski last pitched for New York on July 21, but was designated for assignment the next day and elected free agency after clearing waivers. Brazobán was stringing together a nice first full season for the Mets after he was traded to the team during last year's trade deadline from the Miami Marlins. The right-hander started the 2025 season pitching to an impressive 1.80 ERA during the month of April in 12 outings (two starts), followed by posting a 1.26 ERA during 11 appearances in May. The ensuing months for the 35-year-old were a struggle as in nine outings during June, Brazobán posted a 13.50 ERA in just 8.2 innings of work. Despite somewhat improving out of the bullpen for the Amazins' during the month of July, Monday's struggles against San Diego may have sealed Brazobán's fate. Brazobán came on in relief of starter Frankie Montas during the fifth inning, with the Mets holding onto a 5-3 lead. He recorded the second out of the inning but then allowed three runs to score (including both inherited runners) on three straight singles, giving the Padres a 6-5 lead; this included an RBI infield single which saw Pete Alonso knock down a hard-hit grounder, only to not record the out as Brazobán failed to cover first base. The righty walked another batter before finally getting the last out, needing 26 pitches to get two outs. San Diego eventually won the game, 7-6. As for Devenski, the reliever who will be taking Brazobán's place, he initially came to the Mets when they signed him to a minor league deal on October 28, 2024. New York selected the 34-year-old's contract on April 30; in 10 appearances (one start), Devenski posted a 2.38 ERA with nine strikeouts in 11.1 innings. Devenski will now rejoin a Mets bullpen that will certainly look to make more improvements ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.
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