Kofi Inkoom
Houston Rockets wing Dillon Brooks delivered an outstanding performance today, propelling Canada to their inaugural FIBA World Cup Bronze Trophy with a 39-point contribution in their victory over Team USA.
DILLON BROOKS in the @FIBAWC WIN vs TEAM USA!!!
39 Points
12/18 Shooting
7/8 Threes
5 Assists
4 Rebounds
2 Blockspic.twitter.com/opPcR1MG8k— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 10, 2023
Brooks characterized it as his moment in the 2023 FIBA World Cup bronze medal match, and he certainly lived up to that claim. His remarkable display played a pivotal role in Canada’s win against their North American counterparts, securing a bronze medal in the process.
In a thrilling, high-scoring overtime tie that ended with a score of 127-118 in Canada’s favor, Brooks scored an impressive 39 points.
This achievement marked a career-high for him, surpassing any point total he had previously reached in his NBA career and establishing a new record for the most points scored by a Canadian in a FIBA World Cup game.
MORE : SGA and Brooks Propel Canada to their First ever FIBAWC trophy
The Houston Rockets’ wing player had a remarkable performance against a struggling team USA defense, shooting an impressive 12-18 from the field and 7-8 from three-point range.
He also contributed 5 assists and secured 4 rebounds. Notably, this was the highest-scoring performance ever in a medal-winning game.
Following his historic performance, Dillon Brooks expressed gratitude towards his critics. According to Esfandiar Baraheni of spdn sports, Brooks stated,
“I appreciate you all, from the very beginning. Those who were critiquing my skills on Twitter and Instagram while watching me play. It has been a source of motivation for me to improve every single day.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett, pivotal players in Canada’s FIBA World Cup journey, contributed 31 and 23 points, respectively.
SGA also made a significant impact with 12 assists and six rebounds, while Barrett secured six rebounds as well.
On the team USA side, Anthony Edwards led with 24 points, Austin Reaves contributed 23, and Mikal Bridges added 19 including a 3 point clutch moment that sent the game into overtime.
Mikal Bridges’ Clutch moment to tie the game for team USA 🔥🔥👏🏽. #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/Y8YhByLfyd
— NBArepublic.com (@nba_republic) September 10, 2023
Dillon Brooks, after a disappointing playoff series with the Memphis Grizzlies and a subsequent departure from the team in the offseason, delivered one of the most exceptional performances in the history of international basketball competition.
He’s aware that some basketball fans view him as a contentious figure on the court, even though it doesn’t reflect his true character. Nevertheless, he embraces his role as a competitor.
According to Baraheni’s report, Brooks drew a comparison between himself and the legendary Kobe Bryant, drawing parallels between his on-court performance and the mindset of the Black Mamba whenever he steps onto the court.
“It’s just like Kobe Bryant… He had to figure out how to create the Black Mamba, a different persona when he comes on the court. I guess that’s my persona—The Villain.”
Dillon Brooks after his 39-point #FIBAWC bronze medal game vs. USA.
(via @OneSportsPHL /IG) pic.twitter.com/F1JRMD7Ee8
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 10, 2023
Canada’s men’s basketball team achieved a historic bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, marking their first-ever podium finish, a milestone akin to what their women’s team achieved back in 1986.
The outstanding performance of Dillon Brooks ignited a group of talented Canadian players to triumph over their continental rival and claim a significant World Cup accolade.
With this victory, Canada has now secured a prestigious trophy in FIBA competitions, and their focus now turns towards the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where they aim to add more trophies to their collection with their formidable roster.