SoCalHoops Player Profile News

Player Profile: Point Guard Brandon Brooks,
A Top Prospect--(June 2, 1999)

Brandon Brooks (6'-1" Jr. PG) from Jefferson HS, in Portland, Oregon, is a consensus selection as one of the top point guards on the West Coast this year, and could, by the end of the summer, be one of the top nationally ranked point guards as well.

A lightning quick passer, with a great handle and the ability to get to the basket and score or pull up for the jumper, Brandon is also a tenacious defender, with extremely quick hands helping him to be one of the top steals leaders at the position.  Brandon has excellent leaping ability and is an accurate shooter, either spotting up with a good high release enabling him to shoot over taller defenders, or he can create off the dribble when the situation demands it.  His game is equally suited to the passing half-court game as much as it is to running the break and transition, and he's one of those guys who most people would describe as the type of player who makes those around him better.

Brandon is also one of the funniest, most articulate, and personable young men we've met playing on the traveling circuit this year, and he is typically described by both teammates and opponents alike as "charismatic" or as a "leader."   He's a great floor general, able to run a team and an offense.  We were also pleased to learn that Brandon has a major sense of humor, and this past Friday night at a pre-tournament post-practice dinner before leaving for Fresno, at a local pizza parlor Brandon proved that he has other hidden talents, including a possible future as a big-time karaoke singer who can sing hip-hop as well as Master P.   Of course, he had a little help from his Jefferson Portland buddy and teammate Antone "Tone" Jarrell (6'-6" Jr. SG/SF) too.   :-) 

We had the opportunity,  and the pleasure of spending some time with Brandon this past April at the Double Pump Easter Tournament (actually Brandon made dinner at the Sizzler bearable despite the horrible food),  and we again spent some time with him this past weekend in Fresno as we followed Brandon and all the rest of the Double Pump players on their journey to the Championship game of the adidas EBO/EA Hoop Summit III.  In the process, we got to speak with him at length about quite a few subjects,  including his views of the game, girls, college, girls, his plans for the future, girls,  and even his take on many current and former NBA players. Oh, did we mention that he also talked about girls? 

One thing is also certain, and that is that this is a young man who has a great sense and feel for the game, and he has a keen sense of not only how to play and improve, but also the history of the game and the players who have made it great.  Perhaps the best word to describe Brandon's approach to the game is that he's truly a "student" of the game.

"I don't think I'll  ever stop learning new things, whether it's a new move, or something else about the game," Brandon told us. "Of course I've got a great coach." he said, referring to Howard Avery, who coaches the Pump Gold Team.  "He's taught me a lot, about basketball and life."

Spiece All-Tournament Selection

Brandon matching up against Russell Lakey (Rockfish)

Brandon works throughout the year with Avery, who in addition to his Double Pump duties, also works as a Skill Development Specialist with the Portland organization known as Triple Threat Basketball, a skill development and training program.  Howard also works with many professional players, including many of the Portland Trailblazers, and the effects of his work with Brandon are immediately apparant as you quickly learn that he and "B" have a great relationship both on and off the court.  "I can usually tell what Howard is thinking," Brandon told us, and watching them communicate silently, with knowing nods and glances during and after games, it's easy to see just how special their relationship is.  "Brandon is my player-coach," Avery said recently during a game. "He's just so smart, and intuitively understands the game and what it takes to be a good point guard.  He knows that the biggest job of the point guard is decision-making, finding the open man, knowing who to pass to and when.  He possesses a level of development and skills rarely found in a player Brandon's age."

As far as college is concerned, Brandon will be a full qualifier.  Recently named to the All-Tournament "Seniors-To-Be" Team at the Spiece Run N' Slam Tournament last month, Brandon is starting to get more national attention.  He told us recently that he likes both  Arizona and Arizona State, although also he says "I'm wide open right now.  I like a lot of the Pac-10 schools.  I'll start to narrow my list down this summer."

Brandon will play this summer for the Pump N Run Gold team, and he'll also attend the adidas ABCD Camp.  Following ABCD, Brandon will attend the second week of the Double Pump West Coast All-Stars Camp, and then will travel to the Las Vegas adidas Big Time Tournament with the Pump team.  Finally, he'll return to Los Angeles, where he'll be competing in the Best of Summer Tournament at Cal State Dominguez Hills against some of the best teams in the country.

We're willing to go out on a limb on this one, and predict that Brandon will be a high major player, an immediate impact guy at whatever school is fortunate enough to get a commitment from him.

 
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