Cameron Brink Names NBA Legends for Her Mt. Rushmore Cameron Brink, the forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, shared her personal list of the greatest NBA players of all time during an interview with Los Angeles Sports Report. Though she admitted she is not a regular NBA viewer, Brink compiled a list of iconic athletes, including several Los Angeles Lakers legends. Her selections featured Magic Johnson, Steph Curry, Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James, with the latter being added to her list despite the limited four-player capacity of the Mt. Rushmore concept. Brink emphasized the difficulty of narrowing down her choices, acknowledging the sheer number of elite players who have shaped the league’s history. The interview highlighted Brink’s unique connection to Steph Curry, whom she included on her list. The two share a familial bond as god siblings, a relationship rooted in their families’ ties to Virginia Tech. Both sets of parents—Dell Curry and Greg and Michelle Bain-Brink—played sports at the university in the 1980s. Dell Curry, a former NBA player, and Sonya Curry, a volleyball athlete, were part of Brink’s family circle, while the Bain-Brink parents served as godparents to the Curry children. Brink described Curry as “like my brother basically,” reflecting their lifelong friendship and the surreal nature of seeing him transition from a childhood friend to a global basketball icon. Brink’s relationship with the Curry family began in her early years. After attending art camps for three consecutive summers, she finally participated in a half-day basketball camp led by Dell Curry at the age of 10. This experience, she noted, was pivotal in her decision to pursue basketball seriously.#los_angeles_sparks #steph_curry #virginia_tech #cameron_brink #dell_curry
Asian Needle Ants in Mississippi: Painful Stings and Ecological Threat An invasive ant species is spreading rapidly across Mississippi, posing a significant threat to native ecosystems and human health. Asian needle ants, known for their painful stings and ability to outcompete local ant species, have become a growing concern for residents and scientists. These ants, which are smaller than fire ants but more dangerous, are now establishing themselves in the Magnolia State, raising alarms about their ecological impact and potential risks to humans. Mississippi is home to 167 native ant species, but the arrival of Asian needle ants has disrupted this balance. Unlike fire ants, which are highly aggressive and build visible mounds, Asian needle ants are cryptic, thriving in dark, moist environments such as under rocks, leaf litter, or in dead logs. Their small size and lack of foraging trails make them difficult to detect, increasing the likelihood of accidental encounters. Experts warn that their presence could lead to the decline of native ant populations, which play critical roles in soil health and nutrient cycling. The ants’ stings are particularly alarming. Described as sharp and localized pain, the sting is often compared to a needle being inserted into the skin. Benoit Guenard, an ecologist at the University of Hong Kong, likened the sensation to “inserting a needle directly into your flesh,” noting that the pain can persist for hours or even days. Unlike fire ant stings, which cause immediate burning and pustules, Asian needle ant stings may not be noticed until hours later, making them harder to treat. In severe cases, the venom could trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction requiring immediate medical attention. The spread of Asian needle ants in the U.S.#mississippi #asian_needle_ants #mississippi_state_university #jo_vonn_hill #virginia_tech
