NBA player Dillon Brooks is best known for his beef with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the 27-year-old cager somehow overshadowed that with his performance for Team Canada in their second-round matchup at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Brooks was one of the key players that helped Canada knock off Spain, 88-85, assuring them a spot in the top 8 for the first time since 1994, according to FIBA.com.
Brooks joined hands with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to push the Canadians past the Spaniards, who will miss the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1994.
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For Brooks, who was traded to the Houston Rockets in a sign-and-trade deal, the win was refreshing for him following a tough year.
Brooks heaves huge sigh of relief
"Coming off a tough year with my old squad [the Memphis Grizzies] it was great having a refresh with Canadian blood," Brooks said via Eurohoops.net. "Guys who believe in me. Guys who trust in me. It was great to win this game in a great fashion."
The 27-year-old swingman finished with 22 points, five rebounds, and two assists in about 27 minutes of action. His stats provided ample help to Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with a game-high 30 points along with seven assists.
Brooks, an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, was clueless about his NBA future after the Memphis Grizzlies chose not to re-sign him.
That was when the Houston Rockets entered the fray and took him on a four-year $80 million deal last July.
Setting the tone for his 2023 NBA season
Now, Brooks starts his 2023 basketball career on a high note, setting the tone for his upcoming stint with the Rockets. He will join hands with another newcomer in Fred VanVleet, who agreed to a $130 million three-year deal.
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