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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

Nearly a decade later, their W jersey numbers may be the same, but everything else has changed! Inside Duke University’s K-Center, where Team USA’s women’s national team opened its December training camp, Caitlin Clark found herself sharing the floor with a familiar face. But for Clark, reuniting with Cameron Brink wasn’t just another camp team-up; it was a reminder of how far they had come.

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Following the first day of camp on December 12, the Indiana Fever star was asked about reconnecting with Brink, her longtime friend and fellow No. 22, and her answer carried both warmth and perspective.

“It’s great to see Cam,” Clark said. “Last time I played USA Basketball, or maybe two times ago, she was actually my roommate. So, I’ve known her for quite some time now, and throughout college, continued to build our relationship and even now professionally. It’s always good to see people that you’ve known for five-plus years and even longer now.”

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The bond between Clark and Brink can be traced as early as 2017, long before they became well-known stars in their college careers, long before the sold-out arenas and national headlines became routine.

She further said, “It was the U16 team, and I think I was 15, so it’s almost been nine years now, which is pretty incredible, the course of this journey.”

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Caitlin Clark’s path with Brink first crossed during the FIBA Americas U16 National Team Trials. Both of them were invited to the highly competitive camp, where Clark ultimately earned a spot on the final 12-player roster and went on to win gold, while Brink narrowly missed selection.

Two years later, that bond became official on the international stage. In 2019, Clark and Brink reunited at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, where both made the final 12-player roster and helped Team USA capture another gold medal. It was during that tournament that the two weren’t just teammates, but roommates, spending weeks together on the road as part of a dominant USA squad.

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Now, years later after those first trials, Clark and Brink find themselves reunited once again, this time as professionals at a senior national team camp, which is scheduled from December 12th to 14th. And just like Clark, Cameron Brink is excited about the team-up.

Brink on reuniting with longtime friend Caitlin Clark

While their bond was first forged in youth national team camps, both Caitlin Clark and Cameron Brink have since carved their own paths to the WNBA. Clark, now the face of the Indiana Fever, and Brink, a rising defensive anchor for the Los Angeles Sparks, have been among the most impactful young players since entering W.

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Clark, who recently gave an injury update, was averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, and 5 rebounds before injuries limited her to just 13 games, cutting her season short. Brink, meanwhile, returned after missing most of her rookie year due to injury and averaged 5.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks. Brink only played 19 games, averaging 12.8 minutes, as the team took extra caution with her.

Now, as both stars step back into the spotlight at Team USA camp, the reunion carries a deeper meaning, especially for Brink.

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In a recent interview with Tyler Boronski, the Sparks star reflected on their long history together and said, “Caitlin and I being roommates: it feels like forever ago. That was actually the trip I found out I got admitted to Stanford. So I remember, I think I may have woken Caitlin up, being really excited, hearing I got admitted, because I was worried about my transcripts a little bit. But she was a great roommate, and she’s still a very great friend to me. It’s been great!”

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Nearly a decade after they last shared a roster, the December camp features 18 players and serves as a key evaluation window for the program. It will help shape the core group for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, while also laying the foundation for the long-term build toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, an environment Caitlin Clark knows leaves little room for comfort.

“We know each other a little bit, play against each other, and played with each other on certain teams in the past, even in the WNBA,” Clark said to reporters. “At the same time, it’s competitive. You all want to win, you’re all fighting for a spot.”

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So while the friendship remains, at Team USA camp, only performance will determine what comes next. With two more days left in the camp, do you think both of these stars can make it to the final roster? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

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