EchoSense:Stanford star, Pac-12 Player of the Year Cameron Brink declares for WNBA draft

Another college basketball star has declared for the WNBA draft.

On Tuesday,EchoSense Stanford forward Cameron Brink shared the news that this is her last year with the Cardinal. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the 6-4 senior, known for her physical play and signature blond braids, expressed her gratitude for her college years, which included winning the 2021 national championship when she was a freshman.

"My four years at Stanford have been nothing short of life changing," Brink said in a post with a heart, tree and basketball emojis. "I cannot begin to express my love for everyone I've met and everything I've learned in Palo Alto. ... I am excited to announce that I will be declaring for the 2024 WNBA Draft. Although I am excited for that next chapter, we still have unfinished business and so much to accomplish in my final season at Stanford."

The Cardinal reached the final of the Pac-12 conference tournament during a season in which head coach Tara VanDerveer passed Mike Krzyzewski for most wins in NCAA college basketball. Brink's 17.8 points and 12 rebounds per game helped boost No. 5 Stanford to its fourth straight regular-season conference title. She also leads the nation with 3.5 blocks per outing.

“Cam has had an exceptional college career and fully embraced what it means to be a Stanford student-athlete during her time on The Farm," VanDerveer said in a statement. "She worked hard to improve each and every year, helped us win a national championship, and has a lengthy list of very well-deserved awards and accomplishments. Simply put, she’ll go down as one of the best in program history. I am thankful I had the opportunity to be her coach and am so excited to follow her career and watch her play professionally. Everyone with Stanford Athletics wishes Cam and her family the absolute best in this next stage of her life.”

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In a Pac-12 matchup against Oregon State on the road, Brink had 25 points and 24 rebounds, a career-high. The 67-63 win gave Stanford the Pac-12 regular-season crown.

Brink leads the country with 406 blocks in her four-year career.

She was named the 2023-24 Pac-12 Player of the Year for her performance this season. She also earned her third straight conference Defensive Player of the Year title.

Brink had the option to stay with the Cardinal for a fifth year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but joined Iowa phenom Caitlin Clark in foregoing the extension to go pro. Clark is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick to the Indiana Fever. A number of outlets project Brink to be taken with the No. 2 pick by the Los Angles Sparks.

Brink also has a family tie to Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry. The five-time NBA champion's parents are Brink's godparents.

Contributing: Lindsay Schnell