If you haven’t been paying attention to the FIBA World Cup you have been missing some really good and fun basketball.
One of the teams that came in with a lot of expectations but little international experience was Canada and it has been a very fun ride for them. They took a loss to Brazil that put their World Cup medal contention at risk but bounced back in a big way after taking down the number one FIBA team in the world in Spain.
Things looked bleak for Canada for a lot of the game but they were able to gain control and get over the hump to not only clinch their berth in the quarterfinals but also clinched a spot in next year’s Paris Olympics with the win.
23 years in the making.
Canada's Senior Men's National Team is going back to the Olympic Games for the first time since 2000.#FIBAWC | #WinForCanada | #OneTeam https://t.co/Cg1RTasrod
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) September 3, 2023
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got a lot of the credit for the victory, and he definitely deserved it, but they don’t win that game without Dillon Brooks playing his best game of the tournament. He finished with 22 points shooting 8-12 to go with 5 rebounds and elite defense. But it wasn’t about his numbers. It was the energy and effort to go along with his timely shots to keep Canada in the game which allowed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to do what he does and finish the game.
DILLON BROOKS IN THE CLUTCH! 🥶🥶🥶#FIBAWC x #WinForCanada 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/TsHOEY7jTz
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 3, 2023
After the game, Brooks called his performance his best game ever and said it felt great to get a refresh with the Canadian blood and play with guys who believed in him.
“Coming off a tough year with my old squad [the Memphis Grizzies] it was great having a refresh with Canadian blood,” Brooks said. “Guys who believe in me. Guys who trust in me. It was great to win this game in a great fashion.”
https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1698381442378600896?s=20
There are lots of people who think that was a shot at his former Grizzlies teammates and it very well could be. However, it could also just be him saying he needed a refresh and how good it feels to know guys really believe in him. Before the tournament started, Brooks mentioned how he felt the first round loss to the Lakers was put all on him so it really could be he just need to know his teammates have his back.
Canada will take on Luka Doncic and Slovenia on Wednesday morning for a spot in the quarterfinals so Brooks will be asked to do more defensively for that one.
