Dillon Brooks was greeted with boos each time he took the ground for Canada on the 2023 FIBA World Cup. When he exited the courtroom for the final time in Manila, Philippines, he was met with chants of “MVP” as an alternative.
Brooks had the sport of his life on Sunday, main Canada to certainly one of its greatest victories in program historical past after defeating Workforce USA in additional time. The star ahead exploded for 39 factors on 7-for-8 capturing from 3-point vary to make historical past for his nation, taking down the world rank No. 1 United States for a podium end.
Brooks’ 39 factors snapped a virtually 70-year file for probably the most factors in a single recreation by a Canadian on the FIBA World Cup, set by Carl Ridd again in 1954. His efficiency led Canada to its first-ever medal on the FIBA World Cup, because it heads dwelling with the bronze to associate with its 2024 Paris Olympics bid.
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Brooks was a menace the complete match, serving as certainly one of Canada’s most constant gamers on each ends of the ground with averages of 15.1 factors, 2.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals per recreation.
He referred to as himself one of the best perimeter defender on the planet and thrived in his 3-and-D position, flattening a blistering 58.8 % of his long-range makes an attempt. Brooks was as clutch as will be in Canada’s ultimate recreation of the match, burying large 3 after large 3 to take down america.
TCL Participant of the Sport Dillon Brooks set a brand new factors file in a medal recreation to tow third-place Canada to their first-ever medal 👏
📊 39 PTS | 5 AST | 4 REB | 7 3PM | 42 EFF#FIBAWC x #WinForCanada 🇨🇦 | #InspireGreatness pic.twitter.com/Og5wWPyHEG
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 10, 2023
After the sport, he spoke on how Workforce USA legend Kobe Bryant’s “Black Mamba” mentality impressed his willingness to embrace his position as one of many sport’s most outstanding villains right this moment.
“It is only a persona. Folks adore it. I’ve grown to adore it myself,” Brooks started. “It is identical to Kobe Bryant. RIP to Kobe Bryant. How he had to determine easy methods to create ‘the Black Mamba.’ A special persona when he comes on the courtroom. I suppose that is my persona — the villain.”
Brooks has leaned into that persona for some time now, most notably this previous NBA season when he poked LeBron James and the Lakers in the course of the common season and once more in the course of the opening spherical of the NBA Playoffs.
That is a significant purpose why the Lakers-heavy crowd selected to cheer in opposition to Brooks on the FIBA World Cup in each Indonesia and the Philippines, however he thanked his haters for the motivation in his parting message.
“I recognize you. From the start, everybody that was throwing photographs on Twitter and Instagram, watching me play, it simply helps me get higher and higher each day.”
Brooks received the final snicker, leaving Manila with a bronze medal and the efficiency of a lifetime.