By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
MILAN, Italy – Only six days had passed since when Milan beat Virtus Bologna in Game 4 of the LBA Finals, conquering the third consecutive Italian Championship against the black-and-white rivals. On June 28, however, Ettore Messina’s team announced the first signing for the 2024-25 season.
Out of nowhere, without anybody anticipating the news, Armoni Brooks was acquired by the Italian side, approaching his first-ever overseas experience after four years between the NBA and G-League. He came with the status of a three-point specialist, giving depth to Milan’s perimeter.
But what does turn a good three-pointer into a specialist? He first answered to Eurohoops, interview during the EuroLeague Media Day. “There are a lot of people who are good three-point shooters, but I think when it comes to being a specialist it’s a matter of mentality”, Armoni Brooks opened.
“You have to be able to try to be as consistent as possible, sometimes it can be pretty difficult. Especially only shooting threes, because if you miss your first two your confidence might get a little shuken. You’ve got to be able to have a short-term memory, trust your work, trust your teammates that find you in the right position”, the former Houston Rockets player then followed.
When talking about role models he shaped his game after, one name came immediately to his mind. “Obviously, the No.1 is Steph Curry, but some of the stuff he does is kind of unrealistic”, he said before mentioning his brother. “I try to look at Seth Curry, I think he’s pretty realistic”, he added.
“[Or] the way Klay Thompson without off the ball, how quickly he can get his shots off. I probably try to mimic my game a lot after those guys. Even Patty Mills, he’s really good at getting to his shots, and spots, and having a good base to get his jumper whenever he can”, Armoni Brooks added.
Having former Milan veterans in his corner
Being born in Waco and having gone through the Houston Cougars in college, the 26-year-old newcomer won’t be the first and last Texan player to live a European experience in Milan. Inserted into the team’s Hall of Fame a few months ago, Keith Langford is an established red-and-white legend.
Before Armoni could take off to Italy, the veteran made sure he knew what was about to start. “It brought me a sense of comfort, to have someone who’s been in this position, this city, and being in this organization. For your first time coming to Europe, you don’t want it to be a bad experience”, he opened.
“He made sure I was confident to know that this would have been a great experience and that the club is great about it. [He wanted[ to make that transition a little bit easier because if you find living off the court easy, he said you’ll find adjusting to the basketball easier too”, Brooks added about Langford.
Keith Langford in the house in Milano.
The legendary American guard will be introduced into the Italian team’s Hall of Fame during the EuroLeague night against Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/H6oGQZJ8PS
— Cesare Milanti (@cesaremilanti) January 26, 2024
The former Panathinaikos and AEK shooting guard didn’t stop there. “He really helped me in my decision-making, and I still talk to him all the time to keep in contact, get me any advice, answer the questions I have. It’s good to have a man like that in my corner”, Milan’s newest number 12 also said.
Alongside Keith Langford, Curtis Jerrels is another Texas-raised and born who lived up to the expectations when coming to Milan. “I’ve seen The Shot a couple of times, it was a big shot”, Armoni Brooks spoke about the dagger Curtis Jerrels scored in Game 6 of the LBA Finals 2014 against Siena.
But what’s their relationship like? “I met Curtis [Jerrels] probably about four years ago, just through social media. We’ve played pick-up a couple of times together and ran into each other around the city. We don’t talk too often, but I know that if I need some advice or some help, he’s always there for me. He’s another good player who was here and had a good career”, he continued.
Transitioning from the G-League to the EuroLeague
Juan Toscano-Anderson’s take on the G-League being the second-best league in the world during the 2024 FIBA Intercontinental Cup made the whole basketball world buzzing about it.
As Armoni Brooks lived the vast majority of his career in that environment, there couldn’t be a better person to ask about that opinion. “The G-League is a really good league. It’s for people who are close to the NBA, and who believe that they have a good chance of making it to the NBA”, he first said.
“Because you develop within the NBA system, and if you’re trying to reach the NBA, it’s probably the easiest way to do it. Because you’re in the NBA eyes, all the time. The day-to-day life is good and pretty normal: go to practice, work out, and get your extra work in”, he easily explained, touching on the mental side of things, which is probably even more important than what you bring to the table.
“You’ll get out what you put into it: if you have the right mindset with the G-League, you can perform well and it’s a good chance to get that call-up. But sometimes people can approach it with the wrong mindset, and it can really hurt you: it’s pretty easy to get lost in it, in the two ways [contracts] and different stuff”, Armoni Brooks also commented, before speaking about the instability in the league.
Living in that grey area constantly between the NBA and the G-League can cause you problems. “The first half of the season isn’t really that hard. I don’t think call-ups can start in January. The first half isn’t that bad, but in the second half you can see other teammates getting call-ups, and it starts to mess with you mentally. That can knock off your game”, he explained.
“The instability can be a little tough because some days you might have two ways, some days not. Some days you might play 30 minutes, and some other days you might just play 10. It just depends. That’s what the G-League is. It’s all about how you approach it and your mindest going through it”, he added.
Armoni Brooks is learning from overseas veterans
However, his main and central focus right now is only the EuroLeague, starting his first-ever European season in Milan. On the red-and-white roster, he also found some high-level veterans for overseas basketball, such as Shavon Shields and the returning Zach LeDay.
Armoni Brooks is trying to get the best out of their relationship. “I talk to them every day about it. Every day to me it’s learning something new. They’ve been here, Shavon [Shields] has been playing in this organization for the last four years, Zach [LeDay] has played here before and in high-level clubs, and so has Josh [Nebo]”, he commented about his teammates.
“It’s good to have those people who can give me advice, and some tips, just to adjust faster. It’s a different game, and it’s a little different when you’re coming from America just to see how everything is, how they play a little bit different, tactics-wise too. Having those guys be able to help me stay calm, not overreact. And just be able to give answers whenever I ask. I think they will be of really great help this year and for the start of my European career”, Armoni Brooks praised his older peers.
Prior to the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign in Italy, he had the opportunity to gain some playing time in friendly games against Fenerbahce and Virtus Bologna. “I don’t think any of us showed the entire package to each other, but we all have really good players. We competed hard, and I know we will have some good games in the upcoming months”, he spoke about those preseason encounters.
Especially in Fenerbahce, he looked up to some future challenges. “I know Wade Baldwin is one of the best players over here, he’s really good. Devon Hall is great too, a very good defender: that’s a challenge for me, because he was guarding me. Just how to figure out ways to make myself open, how to help my team. I’m excited to get to play in these games, hopefully we can stack up some wins”, he added.
Full interview with Armoni Brooks:
PHOTO CREDIT: EA7 Emporio Armani Milan