Ex-WNBA No. 1 pick Rhyne Howard suffers injury scare just days after fellow Olympic star Cameron Brink’s ACL tear
THE Team USA 3x3 women's basketball team has suffered another major injury scare ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Atlanta Dream star Rhyne Howard suffered what appeared to be an ankle sprain during Wednesday's WNBA game against Minnesota Lynx.
The former WNBA No. 1 Draft pick was injured when she stepped on the foot of Minnesota guard Courtney Williams while driving to the basket.
Howard did not return to the game after leaving the court in the third quarter.
Atlanta head coach Tanisha Wright said Howard would be re-evaluated on Thursday.
It is unclear at this stage whether Howard will make the Olympics or not.
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The injury happened just a day after fellow Team USA 3x3 star Cameron Brink suffered a season-ending ACL tear.
Brink had to be carried off the floor during the Sparks' road loss to the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena.
She suffered a knee injury and screamed in pain during the sequence.
Brink was attempting to drive past Suns' center Brionna James with the ball but awkwardly fell to the floor.
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Teammates helped the Sparks rookie who hobbled to the bench and shook her head before receiving attention from medical personnel.
A day after the injury, the Sparks confirmed that Brink suffered a season-ending torn ACL injury.
After she undergoes ACL surgery, the Stanford product will likely be out of action for up to a year due to rehab.
TCU's Hailey Van Lith and former WNBA player Cierra Burdick are the other remaining members on the Team USA 3x3 roster.
Among the players in the frame to replace Brink are Dearica Hamby, Katie Lou Samuelson, and Allisha Gray.
Many fans are calling for Caitlin Clark to be called up.
"The smart move would be to go get Caitlin Clark," one fan commented.
"Catlin Clark should finally play in the Olympics," another said.
"The women's team could make some major noise and bring Caitlin Clark into the fold with Cameron Brink missing out due to injury," a third wrote.
But based on FIBA's 3x3 rules, USA Basketball must replace Brink with another player who has sufficient qualifying points in 3x3 competitions.
Clark has not played in any 3×3 competitions, which would leave her ineligible for the Olympics.
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Team USA are the defending Olympic champions in women's 3x3 basketball.
At the postponed 2020 Olympics, Stefanie Dolson, Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young defeated Russia to win gold.
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