By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Lille, France – Canada is on the way to Paris and the knockout stage of the men’s basketball tournament of the 2024 Olympic Games.
Wrapping up the preliminary stage with a third win in as many games, Dillon Brooks put in 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal against Spain on Friday.
“Be able to get into the guards and space. A little bit more physical,” he compared international basketball to the NBA, voting in favor of the former.
“You stand in the key and wait for guys to come,” he referred to the lack of the defensive three seconds rule, “Obviously, the court is smaller, so the refs do not have to run too far. And it is just more physical.”
After representing Canada at the junior level, Brooks surfaced at the senior level in the Qualifiers of the 2019 FIBA World Cup and returned for last summer’s 2023 FIBA World Cup. The Olympics are his latest international challenge.
“I love it,” he said on playing for Team Canada, “I loved playing for Canada since I was 16. It was fun. You get to play different countries, you get to play for your country. As for us at U16, dreaming to be in the Olympics, we are here now and we have got to succeed.”
“I was talking about myself. I took a lot of years off. And when the time came and we all got together and played, we made it happen,” he explained, “A great coach and journey to pull all together from the World Cup last year until now. And guys willing to give up their summer, playing just for pride in your country is a big thing.”
Ranking first in Group A, the team coached by Jordi Fernandez awaits the next opponent. Action resumes in Paris with the Quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Photo Credit: FIBA