Rockets’ Dillon Brooks shines in Canada’s first Olympic win

The Rockets forward led Canada to its first Olympic victory since 2000.

The Canadian men’s basketball team hasn’t won an Olympic title since the 2000 Games in Sydney. They haven’t even qualified for the tournament since. Last summer, in the Philippines, the team won the bronze medal and qualified for the tournament. Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks helped secure Canada’s World Cup bid a year ago and now has a chance to represent Canada in the Olympics.

In the team’s first game of the tournament, Canada, with help from the Rockets forward, beat Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece, 86-79. Brooks finished with 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting and 3-of-4 3-pointers, and also had six rebounds, one assist and one steal in 24 minutes. Brooks was solid in the close win and put up his numbers effectively while a few fouls kept him from playing late in the game. He’ll need to continue to be a solid three-man and defensive player, providing solid two-way play if Canada is to have a strong run at the Olympics. They face Australia and Spain in Group A, which will prove to be tough draws.
The Rockets forward is also an elite defender and wrecker, as he proved by making life difficult for Antetokounmpo. Though he was ultimately sidelined, Brooks proved that Canada could boast the strongest defense in the Olympics if he was able to play meaningful minutes.

Brooks made a name for himself by using his tenacity and disruptive power to torment star players while providing solid defense and even spacing on the court. Seeing the Rocket translate his NBA game to the global stage is a sight to behold for Houston fans, who will see Brooks return to a Rockets uniform next season.