The Phoenix Suns worked out a second round prospect for the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft in Oregon’s Dillon Brooks on Wednesday.
Wednesday’s group of pre-draft workouts wasn’t the sexiest bunch, but with two second round picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns got a look at one option that might be on the board through most of the second round in Dillon Brooks.
A 21-year-old small forward out of Oregon, Brooks was one of the best college players in the country last year.
ESPN‘s Chad Ford has Brooks going somewhere in the 25-40 range, while Draft Express currently has him going at No. 45. The Suns possess second round selections at No. 32 and at No. 54.
"“Obviously he was a really good shooter at Oregon and hit a lot of big shots,” assistant general manager Pat Connelly said. “Sometimes you look at points, rebounds and assists, but he’s a guy I think that’s one of those kind of energy creators. “He gets on the court — like you saw with Alan Williams, guys that can come in with their energy and their motor and obviously have the ability to hit a lot of shots but also the toughness kind of carries over and sometimes to his teammates. You could see at Oregon, when he got going those guys got going too.”"
A fiery 6’7″ wing, Brooks used his size, strength and experience to bully opponents all year long for the Ducks.
In his junior season, Brooks stepped up time and time again for his team in late-game situations, hitting game-winning shots against Tennessee, UCLA and California, while also scoring Oregon’s final 12 points in a one-point win over Arizona State.
"“I don’t know if it’s a gene, I don’t know if it’s developed,” Connelly said. “I think some guys can grow into that position, sometimes guys are just born with it and always want it, but he seems to have it. Every time there’s a late shot he kind of gravitated towards the ball and came through.”"
Brooks said he loves having the ball in his hands with the game on the line, and that he even practices late-game situations and last-minute reps during his drills.
"“I can take the criticism of missing that shot or the success of making it and I’m not scared to fail, so the shots come easy,” he said."
In his last season at Oregon, Brooks averaged 16.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He also shot 48.8 percent from the field and an encouraging 40.1 percent from three-point range on 4.1 attempts per game.
As the Pac-12 Player of the Year, Brooks was a driving force in Oregon’s run to the Final Four. He was one of five finalists for the Julius Erving Award and one of 15 finalists for the coveted Wooden Award.
At the next level, his improved three-point shooting, clutch gene, impressive strength and leadership qualities in big moments should get him drafted somewhere in the second round. The question is, what will his role in the NBA be?
Related Story: Phoenix Suns work out Malik Monk
More than likely, Brooks would be a bit of a reach for the Suns at No. 32, but he likely won’t be available by the time pick No. 54 rolls around.
However, the Ducks’ on-court leader believes Phoenix would be a nice fit for him — even with T.J. Warren, Dragan Bender, Jared Dudley and perhaps a first round selection like Josh Jackson or Jayson Tatum capable of logging minutes on the wing.
"“It’s more high tempo, the three-minute run, everything is so fast-paced,” Brooks said of the workout. “That’s the way they play and that’s the kind of players they want. I went to Oregon so we played the same way. So I feel like I would fit in perfectly here.”"
Brooks may not be laterally quick enough to defend the 3-spot in the NBA, but he could be too undersized to play the 4 outside of small-ball lineups.
Next: Phoenix Suns - 5 options at pick No. 4 in 2017 NBA Draft
That could change given his competitive fire and the consistency of his long range shot, but in the case of one of college basketball’s best players, at least the Suns are doing their due diligence on potential second round, Summer League or Gatorade League additions.