Cameron Brink didn’t hold back after the Los Angeles Sparks announced open tryouts for male practice players on March 10. The star forward voiced her concerns on Straight to Cam, telling Sydel Curry-Lee she was “icked out” by the decision.
The Sparks typically scrimmage against USC male basketball players, who also train with the university’s women’s team. But this time, the team’s social media post invited any men to try out, which didn’t sit well with Brink.
“I guess my confession is I’m really icked out by the potential new practice players,” Brink. “It’s basically just like a flyer. It’s like me, Dearica [Hamby], Rickea, and Kelsey. And it’s like male practice players wanted.”
“All the comments are like, ‘Let Cameron Brink back me down,’ or something about Rickea or Kelsey,” she said. “And I’m just like, preferably they’re gay… Who are we trusting coming into this gym?”
Cameron Brink says she’s ‘icked’ out by the Sparks’ male practice player tryouts 😬
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 16, 2025
“All the comments are like let Cameron Brink back me down… preferably they’re gay.”
(via @straight2cam)pic.twitter.com/iOuUjuZgRa
Brink wasn’t comfortable with the shift from trained college athletes to random men trying out. The viral post featured Brink, Rickea Jackson, Kelsey Plum, and Dearica Hamby, drawing mixed reactions online.
Hoops fans reacted to the Sparks’ announcement
WNBA star Cameron Brink has voiced concerns about male practice players joining the team. The LA Sparks have closed applications, citing an “overwhelming number of applicants,” per Daily Jang.
Meanwhile, fans had plenty to say about the team’s announcement.
“The amount of mfs whose about to show up just for Rickea bouta be Crazy,” a fan tweeted.
The amount of mfs whose about to show up just for Rickea bouta be Crazy 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— OfficialDakSupporter (@native_ace) March 9, 2025
“Time to get my cardio up,” another fan reacted with a meme.
Time to get my cardio up pic.twitter.com/blRQzI5UaA
— Gaul and Cloaks (@AudibleThatAss) March 9, 2025
Another fan shared that a man was running onto the WWE stage.
— Dallas Bowlin 🇺🇸 🍊 (@dallas_bowlin) March 13, 2025
“Why aren’t you looking for female practice players?” one reacted.
Why aren’t you looking for female practice players?
— Chicago (@Chicagoblevins) March 13, 2025
“Pull your socks up, boys. Whatever you think is – it won’t be that,” a fan tweeted.
Pull your socks up, boys. Whatever you think is – it won't be that.
— Blue 80 Breaks (@Blue80Breaks) March 10, 2025
Nick Young’s response to the Los Angeles Sparks’ male practice player tryouts is turning heads
The Sparks announced on March 13 that they would hold tryouts for male practice players ahead of the WNBA season. The news sparked plenty of reactions, but Young’s take stood out. Speaking on the Gil’s Arena podcast, the former NBA guard joked about joining the tryout in disguise.
“I’m gonna make the team. I’m gonna wear a lace front,” Young said. “I’m trying to be Juwanna.”
When co-hosts reminded him it wasn’t a tryout for the actual Sparks roster, he doubled down
“S***, for me it is. I’m coming with a lace front,” he said. “You ain’t got to worry about being dunked on. You know when you see somebody coming down the lane? Man, get that s*** out of here.”
Nick Young wearing a lace front to the Sparks tryout 😆💅 pic.twitter.com/JgOM1bYdFT
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) March 16, 2025
Young, who played in the NBA from 2007 to 2018 and won a championship in 2018, is known for his flashy personality and viral moments. His latest comments about the Sparks’ tryouts, set for April 12 at El Camino College in Los Angeles, add to that legacy.
READ: Michigan’s Bryce Underwood Trolls Ohio State in LeBron James Encounter
I am a writer passionate about telling the stories behind the game of basketball. From the culture and personalities shaping the sport to the moments that define it, I explore basketball beyond the box score.
