Rockets' Dillon Brooks Named Best Defensive Player At FIBA World Cup

Houston Rockets player Dillon Brooks was named the Best Defensive Player at the FIBA World Cup.

Houston Rockets' Dillon Brooks is already making headlines and winning awards. Brooks, a 6-foot-7-inch wing, was named the Best Defensive Player at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. He anchored a defensive unit for Team Canada that was first in points allowed per 40 minutes.

He was recognized for his one-on-one defensive performances in the tournament, guarding the likes of Luka Doncic and Evan Fournier. His stout defense helped Team Canada win the bronze medal after defeating Team USA in the third-place game. 

During the tournament, he averaged 15.1 points per game, 2.9 rebounds per game and 2.1 assists per game along with 1.3 steals per game and 0.4 blocks per game. In the bronze medal game against Team USA, he tallied 39 points, four rebounds, five assists, one steal and two blocks in a win. 

Brooks signed with Houston this offseason on a four-year, $86 million deal. Previously, he had been with the Memphis Grizzlies for six seasons, since they drafted him in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft. 

In six seasons with the Grizzlies, he dropped 14.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG and 2.1 APG. Brooks is an average shooter, converting 34.2% from deep in his career and 41.6% from the field. He did have an impressive shooting performance at the World Cup, making 20-of-34 threes for a 58.8% clip. 

The Rockets and Brooks will return to action when the NBA Preseason begins, starting with a matchup at home against the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.