Tag: match today

Paris Olympics-bound athletes are ready and equipped–PSC chief

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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. grants a photo opportunity with officials and Philippine Olympians and Philippine Paralympians as they were sent off for Paris Olympics. –HANDOUT PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Filipino athletes competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics are ready and equipped to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann said multiple sponsors are funding the Paris-bound athletes, boosting their preparations for the quadrennial sporting event.

“The POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) has been getting a lot of sponsors, as well as the PSC and I’m sure all the athletes are happy that all these sponsors and help have been coming in,” Bachmann told Inquirer Sports.

READ: Carlo Paalam ‘feeling better’ ahead of Paris Olympics

“A lot of private companies, senators and other government agencies have full support for the athletes.”

Joining the send-off ceremony was none other than President Ferdinand Marcos, who gave words of encouragement to the Filipino athletes.

In Marcos’ speech, he said he is immensely proud of the Filipino spirit and athletes as they will represent the flag in France in late July.

“My heart swells with pride and optimism. I see before me, men and women who have sacrificed countless late nights in pursuit of perfection,” said Marcos.

The President also said that the government has been heavily investing in Filipino athletes this year alone en route to the Summer Games.

READ: Carlos Yulo focusing on pommel horse as Paris Olympics nears

“We have invested in those dreams and are trying to support the sports movement here in the Philippines. This year. over 1.1 billion has been invested in sports through the PSC in funding athletes,” added Marcos.

Marcos’ appearance in front of the Paris Olympians, according to Bachmann, was huge as they try bring the country to the global stage.

“It’s very huge when the president came over and supported the athletes. It’s very huge,” Bachman said.

Bachmann also revealed that the government will increase the sporting field’s budget next year without disclosing an exact amount.

“I can’t say much now but we’ll be all smiles next year because we’ll have a bigger budget. I can’t tell you the amount but I’m glad we’ll have a bigger budget.”



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Most of the Filipino athletes will be flying to Paris on Saturday in preparation for the Olympics.

Experience makes USA’s Manila stint a ‘great success’

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USA huddles during a timeout in a VNL 2024 game against Japan.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Team USA captain Micah Christenson had a first Manila trip to remember despite the Americans missing the Final Eight of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

The United States wrapped up its campaign in Manila with a 25-20, 25-23, 25-19 loss to Japan in a much-awaited clash between the two fan favorites played before an ecstatic 12,424 crowd at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday night.

The Americans, last year’s runners-up will miss the Final Eight with a 5-7 record, but Christenson and his teammates will bring great memories with them as they head back home and gear up for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

READ: VNL 2024: Japan beats USA for first time in Manila finale

“Incredible. It was capped off with an incredible crowd, the last game up here in Manila so, wish we could’ve made it a little longer of a match, but at the same time it was good volleyball, it was really good volleyball out there on the court,” said the star setter, who only played late in the third set as both squads decided to rest most of their key cogs.

“I’m really proud of our guys and how we fought and how we battled. So now, we’re just gonna keep learning from our experience but, our trip in Manila was a great success based on our experience.”

American stars Matt Anderson and TJ Defalco sat the game out as Taylor Averill and Erik Shoji were the remaining starters in the match.

Still, Christenson praised Japan for its solid showing with Kento Miyaura stepping up big time. 

“We showed our level in a lot of the sets, but towards the end of the sets, Japan really turned their serving pressure on especially, Miyaura, at the end of at least the last two sets, he came in with some really big serves,” he said.

READ: VNL 2024: USA posts second straight win ahead of Japan clash

The Americans may have missed the Final Eight in Poland after splitting their four matches in Manila. But they will come home with big smiles on their faces.

Christenson and the United States now shift their focus to the Paris Games, where they hope to take home the gold.

“It’s great. We’re gonna need everybody at the Olympics, so, from the top down, we’re gonna need everybody on this team. So to be able to have the ability to give them experience in a big game, in a sold-out crowd against Japan is a wonderful experience,” he said 



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Dutch star scorer proud of team despite missing Olympics

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Netherlands’ Nimir Abdel Aziz in the VNL 2024.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Nimir Abdel-Aziz’s greatest scoring nights went for naught after the Netherlands ended up winless in Manila to cap its Volleyball Nations League (VNL) season.

Abdel-Aziz scored another 37-point explosion highlighted by six aces but the Netherlands fell to Canada in five sets,  21-25, 25-22, 28-26, 14-25, 15-9, on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Dutch star emerged as the league’s top scorer with a total of 284 points built on 235 spikes, 40 aces, and nine blocks. He was the only VNL player to score 30-plus points in five matches. 

But he’s not thinking about his scoring tear as all he wanted was to give his best for his team. 

“I just try to do my best like all the teams. We wanted to fight, we wanted to give our best. And I really don’t care about the individual points because I am just proud of the team and how we stood on the court,” said Abdel-Aziz, who averaged 29.8 points in four games in Manila.

The Netherlands lost all four games in Manila, missing the Final Eight with a 3-9 record to end the VNL season. But Abdel-Aziz remained proud of his teammates.

“I think we had a good fight, we gave everything. It was not enough but I am proud of the team [despite] not qualifying for the Olympics and everything. We continued to fight so we did great,” he said. “It’s our third year in a row. Every year, [we’re] improving. This year was great, so I think it’s only gonna get better.”

The 32-year-old Abdel-Aziz admitted that some of the Dutch players are retiring after the VNL, passing the torch to the young guns.

“We will see what’s gonna happen in the next year because I think some of us won’t be there anymore. So, it’s also time for some young generation guys. So we’ll see how they will develop and how they can continue to reach a higher level,” he said.

Despite the winless Manila stint, the scoring machine expressed his gratitude to Filipino fans for supporting them.

“The thing for us volleyball players, it’s one of the best places to play because the fans are here, they are supporting everybody. So, it’s not just the home crowds like in other venues,” Abdel-Aziz said. “Here, we feel support from everybody, every game, doesn’t matter who we play. Maybe a little less against Japan but for the rest, we feel a lot [of support], so it feels great to play here.”



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Ong and Tigresses send women’s hoops a little shine

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Coach Haydee Ong, Tantoy Ferrer and the UST Growling Tigers celebrate UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball title. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

This season was like no other for the University of Santo Tomas (UST) women’s basketball squad.

There is that little thing about winning the UAAP women’s basketball crown for the first time in nearly two decades and ending a seven-year dynasty of the magnificent National U Lady Bulldogs.

And then there are the other unfamiliar, but much-welcomed, parts.

At the end of each season, the Tigresses often break up into individual vacations, being with family for however short a period is allowed before they return to camp.

This time, however, an invitation shoehorned an event into their calendars.

“First time, yes,” UST champion coach Haydee Ong told the Inquirer late Monday evening during the Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) Awards Night. “And I’m so happy.”

Kent Pastrana and Tantoy Ferrer, two of Ong’s top guns, were ecstatic, too. Even if they walked into the Discovery Suites ballroom trying to figure out what in the world they were doing there.

“Why did I become a part of this? Why am I here?” Pastrana said, laughing.

“When I entered the room, a lot of [journalists] interviewed me. It’s like, I’m here, they’re here, this is fun,” Ferrer added.

The CPC gave them reason to be there. Ong, Pastrana and Ferrer were honored by the group that covers collegiate sports, which for the first time included women’s basketball in its roster of awardees because of “the group’s mandate and vision, slowly and one by one, of expanding our awards night to as many sports as possible for inclusivity and fairness.”

“We started by feting only the achievers from the staple events such as men’s basketball and, last year, women’s volleyball for the first time but we intend to honor more as all athletes simply deserve it. We’re humbled to be the stage for that,” the CPC added Saturday in a statement provided to the Inquirer.

Building on momentum

The three Thomasians used the CPC’s stage to further push women’s basketball into the mainstream consciousness.

“I’m an advocate, not only for women’s basketball, but generally, [for] women in sports,” Ong said. “So, yeah, this (the CPC event) is [removing] barriers for women in sports. So, we’re very happy that we were being acknowledged and honored tonight.”

Ong was named UAAP women’s basketball coach of the year while Pastrana won the inaugural women’s collegiate basketball player of the year. Ferrer joined Pastrana in the UAAP women’s basketball mythical selection.

“I didn’t know there was an award like this,” Pastrana said.

“As a woman who plays, [being honored] feels really good,” Ferrer said. “We feel inspired because we get to [help] people appreciate how women’s basketball plays.”

In receiving their awards, the Tigresses stressed the importance of building on the momentum generated by one of the most watched seasons of their discipline. For the first time, women’s basketball games in the UAAP packed venues with screaming fans. And joining the usual CPC roster of honorees brightens the spotlight.

“Women’s basketball is becoming more and more popular,” Pastrana said. “It’s exciting to watch because you can see a lot of physicality that many think isn’t there because women are the ones playing.”

And the Tigresses hope to push that showcase further.

“We need to continue showing that we play hard and that we’re always competing,” Ferrer said.

For Ong, riding the wave means giving audiences more venues to watch women’s basketball outside of the collegiate scene.

“I think [we need] the consistency of other leagues, not just UAAP, even in preseason, right? Like, we have games in G-Ball or Manila Cup,” Ong said. “There are [people] who are live streaming [the games]. I think those are the necessary platforms for women’s basketball.”

For now, the honors bestowed on them will push the Tigresses to work even harder.

“I won’t let this opportunity go to waste. This will be an inspiration for me,” Pastrana said. “I think we are also an inspiration to other kids.”



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“This is not only for me,” Ong said of her award. “[This is] also for the women coaches who are dreaming to be recognized for women’s basketball. I think it’s something they can aspire for, being the Collegiate Press Corps Coach of the Year.”

Boston salutes Celtics’ record 18th NBA championship with parade

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Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum celebrates the team’s NBA basketball championship during a duck boat parade Friday, June 21, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

BOSTON — The Celtics entered the season vowing to turn recent playoff heartbreaks into happiness.

Eight months later, they toasted the franchise’s 18th NBA championship in what has become the signature Boston celebration, joined Friday by a huge crowd for a duck boat parade to mark the 13th championship won this century by one of the city’s franchises in the four biggest U.S. sports leagues.

The Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox and Bruins have all commemorated championships by jumping aboard the duck boats — amphibious vehicles usually ridden by sightseeing tourists.

In Boston, firing up the boats for a slow cruise down city streets has become synonymous with its feeling of sports supremacy. Friday’s parade was the latest component of what has been a rolling salute to the Celtics since they finished off the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the NBA Finals on Monday night.

Starting at TD Garden, the procession lasted about 90 minutes, turning first onto Causeway Street in front of the arena, past City Hall, through Boston Common, down Boylston Street and ending at Hynes Convention Center.

READ: Celtics look to become first repeat NBA champion since 2008

Along the way, there were plenty of moments for the city to salute a franchise that just broke a tie with the rival Los Angeles Lakers for the most titles in league history. Fans marked the moment by hanging on light posts, flashing homemade signs or standing on subway entrances.

“It’s unbelievable. It still doesn’t seem true. But just trying to stay in the moment,” All-Star Jayson Tatum said during a pre-parade rally at the Garden.

Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck gave fans an early treat about 90 minutes before the trade began.

He was attempting to drive to the arena with the Larry O’Brien Trophy and newly made 2024 championship banner along with his wife, Emilia Fazzalari, and their daughter.

They couldn’t get through because of traffic and barricades. So they walked a half-mile down Causeway Street, passing by a sea of fans while carrying the trophy and banner.

Inside the Garden, the rally included players and their family members, members of the Celtics organization, arena staff, season ticket holders and guests including Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

After celebrating in the locker room Monday night by spraying Champagne and posing for pictures with the trophy, the team flew to Miami for a private party.

When the Celtics returned Wednesday, coach Joe Mazzulla took the party back to people, allowing fans to see the trophy up close — and in some cases touch it — while he carried it through Boston’s famed North End.

“I drove all the way from Ohio (Wednesday) because we were coming for the parade,” Celtics fan Jason Hawkins told Boston’s ABC affiliate, WCVB-TV. “I touched trophy, man. I got video of it.”

The golden basketball was on display for all to see Friday as players, flanked by Celtics personnel and members of their families, waved and interacted with fans.

The Celtics broke every huddle this season by saying, “Together.”

Jaylen Brown said Friday the theme for this year’s team was unity.

“Whatever it took for us to win, that’s what I was willing to do,” Brown said.

As much as the day was a celebration of that team-first mantra that Mazzulla championed this season, it was also the culmination of mission that stars Brown and Tatum began after each was drafted third overall — Brown in 2016 and Tatum a year later.

The duo made it to four conference finals and one NBA Finals — a loss to the Golden State Warriors in 2022 — before finally reaching the league pinnacle. Brown earned Finals MVP honors, which he said also belonged to his “partner in crime.”

While the city had to wait nearly two decades for this celebration, the Celtics are in a solid position to try to become the NBA’s first back-to-back champions since the Warriors in 2018.

All five starters — Tatum, Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis — are under contract for next season. After having secured long-term extensions with Brown, Holiday and Porzingis, the Celtics are expected to do the same with Tatum and White this summer.



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Reserve Luke Kornet didn’t let fans forget the Celtics’ history of titles, leading fans on a count from one to 18 at the end of the parade route.

Their message to the city is clear: Keep the duck boats gassed up.

Paalam, Petecio relish being PH flag bearers for Paris Olympics

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Boxers Nesthy Petecio (left) and Carlo Paalam won silver medals in the last Olympics. —PDI FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines—What’s better than representing your country in sports? Carrying its banner in the biggest sporting event in the world.

Just ask Filipino boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, who were announced as the Philippines’ flag bearers for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

However, with honor comes surprise and that’s exactly what Petecio felt when she heard the news that she will be the country’s representative in the most popular sporting event’s opening in France.

READ: Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio to carry PH flag in Paris Olympics

“To be honest, I didn’t expect it,” Petecio said during the Philippine Airlines’ exclusive dinner for Paris Olympians at Century Park Hotel in Manila on Wednesday.

“In my mind, I thought they would take EJ (Obiena) or Carlos Yulo as flag bearers so I was surprised. I’m blessed and thankful that I was picked as one of the people who will represent the Philippines as a flag bearer.”

Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino made the announcement official earlier this week.

READ: Carlo Paalam says national anthem is best heard in moment of triumph

After basing off athletes’ performance in the previous Tokyo Olympics in 2022, Tolentino and the POC decided to make Petecio and Paalam the flag bearers for the Paris edition of the quadrennial sporting event.

It’s safe to say that upon hearing the news, Paalam was ecstatic and excited to represent the country to open the Paris Olympics.

“I’m so happy because we won’t just bring our surnames but we’ll also bring the Philippines; the Philippine flag so I’m so thankful and happy,” said Paalam in Filipino.

“We’ll also be fighting for more than ourselves. It’s better to hear that we’re fighting on our platform if we win [for the Philippines],” he added.



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In the Tokyo edition of the Olympics, Kiyomi Watanabe and Eumir Marcial were selected as the country’s flag bearers.

Thunder trade guard Josh Giddey to Bulls for Alex Caruso

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Oklahoma City Thunder’s Josh Giddey handles the ball in Game 6 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, May 18, 2024, in Dallas. Giddey has been traded from Oklahoma City to Chicago for guard Alex Caruso, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because trades can’t be announced until July 6. ESPN first reported the deal. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, file)

The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Alex Caruso, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because trades can’t be announced until July 6. ESPN first reported the trade.

The 21-year-old Giddey was investigated following accusations by an anonymous social media user that he had an improper relationship with an underage girl.

READ: NBA looks into Thunder’s Josh Giddey alleged relationship with underage girl

The NBA and the Newport Beach, California, Police Department investigated Giddey during the season. The Newport Beach police completed their investigation in January and detectives were “unable to corroborate any criminal activity. ” The NBA also later dropped its investigation.

Giddey’s play suffered this season and he was constantly booed on the road. The point guard averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists with 47.5% shooting this season. Those averages were down from 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists the previous season.

Giddey’s play improved the second half of the regular season, after the Thunder traded for Gordon Hayward. He averaged 16.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 57.2% from the field in April regular-season games. His playing time was cut significantly in the playoffs, and he lost his starting job for the first time in his career.

READ: Bulls to acquire Lonzo Ball, sign Alex Caruso

Giddey was the No. 6 overall pick in 2021 and he made the All-Rookie second team. He is a member of Australia’s national team that will play at the Paris Olympics this summer. He is an exceptional passer and at 6-foot-8, his size makes him a solid rebounder.

The 30-year-old Caruso, who plays point guard and shooting guard, has established himself as a defensive presence in four years with the Los Angeles Lakers and then three years with the Bulls. He has career averages of 6.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He averaged a career-high 10.1 points this past season. He was on the all-defense first team in 2023 and the second team in 2024.

The Thunder also have Cason Wallace, a second-team all-rookie selection this past season, in place at point guard.



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Ex-Georgia standout to fill in for ‘borrowed’ Creamline stars

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Erica Staunton is Creamline Cool Smashers’ import for the PVL Reinforced Conference. –CREAMLINE PHOTO

Aiming to finally win a PVL title that has been elusive for the past six seasons, Creamline has signed a versatile spiker in Erica Staunton for the Reinforced Conference that gets off the ground in the second week of July.

With two of its top offensive weapons on loan to the national women’s program, Creamline will obviously ask Staunton to fill a huge void, something she can potentially do with the scouting reports saying she is comfortable playing both the open and opposite spikers positions.

Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza, the Cool Smashers’ fearsome 1-2 punch, could miss a big chunk of the tournament to play for Alas Pilipinas FIVB Challenger Cup and SEA V.League.

The Cool Smashers, who have ruled the All-Filipino Conference in its last four editions, last won an import-laden tournament in 2018 when they were backstopped by Kuttika Kaewpin and Laura Schaudt also in the Reinforced Conference.

With less than a month left before the tournament starts, Staunton is the third import to find a team here after Kath Bell returns for another tour of duty with Chery Tiggo while PLDT brings in Elena Samoilenko.

The 6-foot-1 Staunton played for Georgia University in the US NCAA before having her first taste of pro action in Finland for Oriveden Ponnistus. She is just 23 years old and will be joining a really seasoned Creamline crew that has won a record eight titles.

Petro Gazz is the defending champion, although the Angels have yet to announce if it is bringing back Lindsey Vander Weide, a hard-hitting American who won Finals MVP honors after a sweep of the Cignal HD Spikers in 2022.



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Naomi Osaka, 3 Grand Slam winners granted Wimbledon wildcard

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Japan’s Naomi Osaka reacts after a point during her women’s singles match against Poland’s Iga Swiatek on Court Philippe-Chatrier on day four of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Complex in Paris on May 29, 2024. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP)

Japan’s Naomi Osaka was one of four Grand Slam champions granted a wildcard on Wednesday into the main draw for next month’s women’s singles at Wimbledon.

The 26-year-old, a former world number one and twice winner of both the Australian and US Opens, will be playing in the main draw of Wimbledon for the first time in five years after becoming a mother.

So too will former Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, who also once topped the world rankings, with the 33-year-old Dane another recipient of a wildcard.

READ: Naomi Osaka looking at ‘bigger picture’ on her tennis comeback

Wildcards are given by the All England Club to players who are not ranked high enough to qualify directly into the main draw.

Wozniacki, disappointed to miss out on a wildcard at the French Open, told Britain’s PA news agency: “I have so many special memories.

“I won junior Wimbledon back in 2005, so it’s a long time ago. There’s something so special about playing on Wimbledon’s Centre Court that you can’t replicate anywhere else.”

Germany’s Angelique Kerber, the 2018 Wimbledon champion and another former world number one who took time out from tennis to start a family, has also received a wildcard entry into the tournament, which starts on July 1.

Another wildcard announced Wednesday went to home favorite Emma Raducanu, who made her breakthrough run to the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2021 — shortly before her stunning triumph in winning that year’s US Open as a qualifier.

It will be the first time in two years that Raducanu, 21, has been on the grass courts of Wimbledon following wrist and ankle surgery in 2023.

Last week, Raducanu lost an all-British semi-final at the Nottingham Open to eventual champion Katie Boulter in what was still an encouraging start to her grass-court campaign.



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LA Sparks rookie Cameron Brink tears ACL in left knee

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FILE–Cameron Brink #22 of the Los Angeles Sparks reacts during the game Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on June 11, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. Steph Chambers/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Steph Chambers / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

UNCASVILLE, Connecticut— Los Angeles rookie Cameron Brink tore the ACL in her left knee, the Sparks announced Wednesday.

The rookie forward had to be helped off the court after suffering the injury in the first quarter of the Sparks’ 79-70 loss to Connecticut on Tuesday night in the WNBA. Brink played under four minutes and committed one foul before getting hurt.

Once over to the sideline, the No. 2 pick in the draft hobbled toward the locker room, but was forced to stop as a result of the pain. A pair of Sparks personnel lifted Brink off her feet and carried her to the locker room.

“You never think it will happen to you. And despite all the hard work sometimes it does. This is hard to fathom but I know it will only make me stronger,” Brink wrote in a post to Instagram. “I will not be derailed and I will continue to love this life — 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.”

READ: Caitlin Clark, WNBA rookies draw near-record crowds for 1st month

The 22-year-old Brink came into the game averaging 8.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in her first season for Los Angeles (4-11). She’s tied with A’ja Wilson for the second-most blocks in the WNBA.

“Except for the 2019 season I’ve lost a starter to injury every single year I’ve been a head coach in this league,” Curt Miller said. “You just have to have the mentality of next person up and rally around it.”

Brink is on the U.S. 3×3 team for the Paris Olympics and a replacement will have to be named for her.

“Our thoughts are with Cameron as we wish her a speedy recovery. As a result of Cam’s injury, USA Basketball will begin the process of selecting an athlete to join the 2024 USA 3×3 Women’s National Team,” USA Basketball said in a statement. “We hope to see Cam back on the court and representing the red, white and blue soon.”

It’s the second consecutive Olympics that the U.S. team will have to replace one of its original players. Katie Lou Samuelson missed the 2021 Tokyo Games after she caught COVID right before the Olympics. She was replaced by Jackie Young, who helped the team go on to win a gold medal.

The Sparks head to New York to play two games against the Liberty on Thursday and Saturday.



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