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Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks Aims for International Play

By Christian Dudley

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 23: Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 23, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 23: Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 23, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – FEBRUARY 23: Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 23, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – FEBRUARY 23: Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 23, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

After producing a stellar rookie season, the Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks will continue to improve his game in training camp with the Canadian national team.

For some NBA players, the offseason has arrived, so it is time to treat it as such. However, that is not the case for the Memphis Grizzlies’ starting small forward, Dillon Brooks.

According to Toronto Sports Network‘s Josh Lewenberg, Brooks is among a large crop of Candian talent to participate in June’s training camp for the 2019 FIBA qualifiers. The invitation list is littered with talent and it shows how far Canadian talent has come in the basketball world. It truly has been a talent explosion in the past several years.

Lewenberg’s note states that the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Andrew Wiggins will not participate. Though Dillon Brooks could easily replace Wiggins for the Canadian national team, it would have been nice to see how the young Grizzly matches up to one of the league’s top scoring talents. Those potential battles would pay dividends once the 2018-19 season arrives.

The risk of injury definitely exists, but it is a major opportunity in the developmental process for 22-year-old Dillon Brooks. In playing 82 of 82 regular season games as a rookie, the Canadian Grizzly has demonstrated a durability within the grueling NBA calendar. Knock on wood, but injury is much less of a worry with Brooks than it would be with other members of the Memphis Grizzlies’ roster playing pickup games in the offseason.

Despite playing in every game and averaging double-figure scoring — all while being a second round Draft pick — Brooks was unfortunately snubbed from the NBA’s All-Rookie Teams. Based off his social media reaction, he will be turning it up another notch in the near future. With Dillon taking his game to the international level, it looks like he will bring the intensity sooner rather than later.

With Dillon Brooks emerging as a bright, young star on the wing, a three-headed monster has began to take form in Memphis, Tennessee. Alongside center Marc Gasol and point guard Mike Conley, in addition to the Grizzlies’ impending fourth overall pick of the NBA Draft, something special is once again brewing in M-Town.

Go Grizz! 

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