WNBA

Cameron Brink is proving she's a star both on and off the court ... 'cause the WNBA rookie just landed the cover of a fashion magazine!!

The L.A. Sparks forward dropped the major news on Monday ... announcing she recently posed for the Flaunt publication's "Gold Standard" issue. The 22-year-old, who tore her ACL just about a month ago, took part in the shoot weeks before the unfortunate injury happened.

Brink rocked multiple outfits for the photoshoot -- including one featuring Skims, which she's posed for in the past -- and also sat down for a quick Q&A. When asked how she deals with all the business opportunities that come with being a pro, she said her time at Stanford got her ready for the next level.

If the WNBA season ended today, Angel Reese -- NOT Caitlin Clark -- would be named Rookie of the Year ... so says legendary college basketball coach Dawn Staley.

The South Carolina women's hoops honcho didn't mince words when TMZ Sports caught up with her out at LAX ... telling us right now, Reese is more deserving of the honor.

"At this time -- today -- it's Angel," she said. "Without a doubt."

Jaylen Brown and Kysre Gondrezick sure look like an item ... the two pro basketball players pulled up to the ESPYs together arm-in-arm -- and even appeared to get ready for the event inside the same hotel room.

The annual sports award show is going down Thursday evening at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles ... and the Boston Celtics star and the WNBA player were seen preppin' for the event at Pendry West Hollywood.

Check out a photo TMZ Sports obtained of the two on a balcony just hours before they hit the ESPY red carpet together ... they seemed to be sharing the same room as they got dolled up.

Cameron Brink ain't letting a torn ACL stop her from being one of the WNBA's fashionistas ... 'cause the L.A. Sparks star rookie is back wearing heels without a brace just weeks after suffering the injury.

The 6-foot-3 forward went to support her team at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday when the Sparks went up against the Minnesota Lynx ... and she pulled up to the game looking like a model.

Brink wore a leather jacket, a cute blue top, a white skirt ... and, most notably, some boot heels with no leg brace.

Angel Reese's Reese's Pieces could be coming to a grocery store near you ... TMZ Sports has learned Hershey's is in talks with the WNBA superstar about a potential partnership.

The connection first playfully began after the Chicago Sky's thrilling win over Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever late last month ... when Reese went to X to call her followers "Reese's pieces."

"Where yall at?????" she wrote.

Angel Reese is an All-Star -- and achieving the major milestone brought the WNBA star rookie to tears after the Chicago Sky game on Tuesday ... calling out the doubters in the process!

The 6-foot-3 forward received the good news that she'd made the All-Star team after the Sky beat the Atlanta Dream on the road, 85-77.

The awesome moment comes after Reese was named June's WNBA Rookie of the Month after setting a league record for consecutive double-doubles, so you can understand why she was overwhelmed with emotions.

Diana Taurasi is changin' her tune a bit on Caitlin Clark ... following their first on-court matchup this weekend, the WNBA legend had nothing but praise for the league's newest star.

Of course, Taurasi made headlines back in April ... when she said she anticipated big struggles from Clark once she arrived in the W. The Phoenix Mercury guard said on ESPN "reality is coming" for the then-Iowa superstar -- explaining she believed dominating in the WNBA was a far tougher task than tearing up the college ranks.

But, after Clark and her Fever squad got the better of Taurasi and the Mercury on Sunday at the Footprint Center in Arizona ... Taurasi had nothing but kind things to say about the 22-year-old.

Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson wasn't about to let Pride Month come and go without a big celebration ... showing love for her LGBTQ teammates by getting them a hilarious cake!!

The two-time WNBA MVP showed off the special gesture on Instagram on Sunday ... saying it's something she does every year -- but this one took the cake. Literally.

The tasty treat is decked out in rainbows, disco balls and scissors ... and features the words "Hooray you gay" in the center.

WNBA star Cameron Brink isn't letting a torn ACL keep her from enjoying the simple things in life ... 'cause the L.A. Sparks hooper posted photos and video cheesin' it up with her BF (and adorable puppy), just a week after suffering the serious injury!

The 22-year-old tore her anterior cruciate ligament during the first quarter of the Sparks' contest against the Connecticut Sun on June 18 ... when Brink drove the lane, and her leg buckled underneath her.

Just like that, the 2024 WNBA season was over for the 2nd overall pick.

The Boston Celtics' championship parade came and went -- and while it was a pretty laid-back affair, the big takeaway is who joined Jaylen Brown for the celebration.

Eagle-eyed viewers spotted WNBA star Kysre Gondrezick sitting in Brown's duck boat as it made its way from TD Garden through the Beantown streets on Friday in honor of the Celtics' 18th NBA title.

Kysre -- a member of the Chicago Sky -- looked rather thrilled to be with the Finals MVP ... smiling as Brown waved to the tons of fans in attendance.

12:45 PM PT -- Cameron Brink just commented on the injury ... and while it clearly broke her heart -- she's vowing to come back stronger than before.

"I will not be derailed and I will continue to love this life," she said on her Instagram page Wednesday afternoon. "I'm not defined by basketball, but it is something that I love deeply and I will work everyday to get back to it. It's not goodbye basketball it’s just a see you later. I’m always so thankful for your thoughts and prayers. 💜💛"

Devastating news for one of the most popular young hoopers in the WNBA -- L.A. Sparks rookie Cameron Brink suffered a left torn ACL during Tuesday night's game ... leaving her sidelined indefinitely.

Doris Burke poked fun at the nationwide Caitlin Clark obsession during Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday ... cracking a joke about the narrative surrounding the WNBA superstar's treatment on the court.

The ESPN talent name-dropped the Indiana Fever hooper following a hard foul in the second quarter of the Celtics' series-clinching win over the Mavericks ... when P.J. Washington wrapped his arms around Kristaps Porzingis and dragged him to the hardwood.

Burke was quick to react with a witty comment ... saying, "If that were Caitlin Clark, it might spark a debate for a week."

The Angel Reese/Caitlin Clark rivalry's alive and well ... 'cause Angel just committed a hard foul while Clark was going up for a layup -- smacking her in the side of the head.

The foul occurred just moments ago ... with Clark's Indiana Fever up 63-62 over the Chicago Sky in the third quarter. Check out the clip -- Clark's heading to the hoop when she's taken down by Reese, landing on the hardwood.

While at first, it seems like just a tough foul, the referees call for a break in the action to review the blow ... and, another camera angle shows fans exactly why.

Joey Chestnut's at the center of the biggest competitive eating controversy in over a decade, and now "Jaws" is speaking on camera for the first time since Major League Eating banned him from the Nathan's Hotdog eating contest.

But, there might still be a chance to compete!

The 16-time Mustard Belt Champion was at the Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream game Thursday night -- a contest the Fever won 91-84 -- when he was asked about MLE's decision while talking to On3 Sports.

The Indiana Fever got a rare victory on Thursday, but Caitlin Clark clearly wasn't satisfied with her performance ... honing her craft with her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, right after the game.

The superstar rookie was caught on video working out on the Gainbridge Fieldhouse court after putting up only 7 points in the Fever's 91-84 win over the Atlanta Dream ... with her man offering up his assistance.

You can see the 6-foot guard taking several mid-range shots while McCaffery played defense ... perhaps to get the not-so-great shooting performance outta her system -- as Clark went 1-6 from three and 3-11 from the field in the contest.

If going up against little kids on the basketball court was an Olympic sport, Caitlin Clark would certainly make the team ... 'cause the Indiana Fever superstar blocked the hell outta a youngin' at a charity event!!

The hilarious highlight went down at Gainbridge's Habitat for Humanity event this week ... when CC playfully went 1-on-1 with a lucky fan in attendance.

In a clip from the gathering, the boy is shown dribbling up the court as Clark played D ... and even though he was barely 3-feet tall, he pulled up with a shot attempt over the 6-foot guard.