Two years ago when I wrote all of the scouting reports getting ready for the 2015 NBA Draft, the most talked about one was that of Joe Young. Like Pac-12 Player of the Year, former Oregon Duck Joe Young that was later drafted by the Indianapolis Pacers.
With all of that said, I decided to start this one off with another Pac-12 Player of the Year that played in Eugene.
It was reported around the NBA Combine in Chicago that Dillon Brooks would be working out for the Portland Trail Blazers sometime in June.
Brooks projects to be a 2nd round draft pick, something that the Blazers don’t have. But with three 1st round draft picks and an owner that has always shown a willingness to buy 2nd round draft picks.
Check out the following scouting report on Brooks, and let me know how you think he would fit in Portland.
Scouting Report: Dillon Brooks
Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 220 lbs.
Noted Measurables: 37.5” max vertical, 3.24 seconds shuttle run, 8’4.5” standing reach
School: University of Oregon
Experience: 3 year starter at Oregon
Age: 21
College Statistics: 14.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.1 turnovers per game in 109 total games at Oregon.
College Highlights: Led Ducks to 2017 Final Four, 2017 PAC-12 Player of the Year, 2x PAC-12 First-Team (2016, 2017), 2017 consensus Second-Team All-American.
Scouting Report:
Pros:
- Big shot maker. Brooks was called upon at Oregon when the game when was on the line. The biggest of the game winners was against UCLA in Eugene. Oregon was down by one, there were 8 seconds left, Brooks pulled down the rebound on a missed Bryce Alford rebound, and brought it down the court. Brooks passed it to Payton Pritchard, called for the ball back, went over a screen and hit a game winning three. He will bring that clutch mentality to the NBA.
- Position versatility. At Oregon, Brooks was used largely as the power forward in a lineup that consisted of three guards. In the NBA Brooks will likely slot in as a shooting guard, but he has the strength to slide over to the small forward spot, and the ball handling ability to play the point guard in spots.
- Ball handling. A lot of the time at Oregon Brooks was counted on to handle the ball and run the offense. The ball handling load was lessened when Pritchard came into the starting lineup as a freshman in 2017. In the NBA Brooks is going to be called on to handle the ball and create his own shot.
Cons:
- Turnovers. In his college career he had a 1.24/1 assist-to-turnover ratio. That isn’t going to cut it in the NBA. There were times in college that Brooks was a little over eager, and he forced things. In the NCAA Tournament Brooks had a hard time holding onto the ball in clutch situations. Brooks had 12 turnovers in the 2017 tournament, 5 of those in the Final Four matchup with North Carolina.
- Defensive Intensity. Brooks has a good build and body to play defense in the NBA. Brooks has fairly quick feet and the ability to stay in front of players on the perimeter. The problem with Brooks’ defense is that he takes plays off and can focus the majority of his attention on the offensive side of the floor. He will have to develop as a defender to find a role in the NBA.
- While one of his pros was his positional versatility, that may come to bite him in the NBA. There isn’t a whole lot of time with his playing and defending shooting guards while he was at Oregon. He is going to have to show that he can defend quick shooting guards on the perimeter and be able to move without the ball on offense.
Highlights:
NBA Comparison: Evan Turner – This might not be an apples-to-apples comparison, but it is one that Portland fans will understand well. Turner is a ball-dominant small forward, just like Brooks. Turner came out of college with much more upside than Brooks. Brooks will be a late round flyer for a team that needs a wing that has a sturdy frame, defensive potential, and a strong mid-range game, all things that Turner brings to the table.
Where he would fit in Portland: As the roster stands, it would be difficult to find many minutes for Brooks on the team. A lot can change between now and when the season starts however. If any of Turner, Allen Crabbe, or Pat Connaughton were to leave this season, Brooks could come off the bench as a backup wing with playmaking and ball handling ability.
