Keion Brooks Jr. settling in as dynamic, yet quiet, role player

Keion Brooks Jr. has quietly jetted off to a solid start this season.

I say quietly because the 6-foot-7 junior hasn’t posted three consecutive double-doubles, or dished out double-digit assist numbers, or eclipsed the 20-point mark as some of his Kentucky teammates already have. Brooks Jr. is the least mentioned when it comes to the Wildcats’ starting five, but perhaps it’s better that way. The third-year forward is still making plays and performing well without the spotlight.

On Tuesday night, Kentucky won its second game in a row, covering the spread against Mount St. Mary’s with a final score of 80-55. Oscar Tshiebwe went for 24 points and 16 rebounds while Sahvir Wheeler added 12 points and eight dimes for the ‘Cats.

Brooks Jr.’s night wasn’t nearly as memorable, but posting a cool 10 points and seven rebounds is exactly what his head coach expects of him night in and night out, no matter the opponent.

“I was so proud of Keion today,” UK head coach John Calipari said after the game. “Second half he didn’t rebound as much but Oscar got every one. But what he did was he played with an energy.’

Calipari isn’t going to call for Brooks Jr. to take over a game on offense. That’s simply not his role or within his skillset. What he does best is attack the rim, fight for rebounds, and play with intensity. Kentucky’s one notable gap on the roster is another big body alongside Tshiebwe; Brooks Jr. can be that fill-in, especially when opposing teams begin to double Tshiebwe on the boards.

“Keion rebounded today. Daimion (Collins) didn’t, so I played Keion more,” Calipari said. “That position is going to have to rebound, because they’re gonna put two guys on (Tshiebwe). Which means you’re gonna be free to go get balls, both defensively and maybe even offensively.”

Brooks Jr. has already bought into that role. He understands that Kentucky is better when he’s playing hard. Tshiebwe can stuff the stat sheet all night long and it won’t bother Brooks Jr. as long as team success comes with it. That’s the benefit of having the mentality of a three-year veteran.

“I want him to get 20 rebounds, that’s amazing the way that he does that,” Brooks Jr. said postgame about Tshiebwe. “But I feel like it’s a disservice to him if I don’t go in and rebound myself. Feel like I’m a pretty good rebounder–he’s an exceptional rebounder–but I feel like it would be hard for teams to rebound with us if Oscar is capable of getting 20 and I pitch in and give my eight to ten.”

Tshiebwe isn’t going to average 20 rebounds per game this season (although he’s at 18.7 through three games). Brooks Jr. needs to keep his energy up so he can pick up those looses balls that Tshiebwe somehow can’t get to.

It’s not just an added effort on the glass, though. Brooks Jr. has expanded his offense while watching the game slow down. He’s stepping into three-pointers with confidence and attacking the rim with ferocity. Even with the headache-inducing mid-range jumpers, defending him is a challenge (please cut those out, Keion). Every new wrinkle in his game makes Kentucky better on that end of the floor.

“It adds more versatility to what I can do,” Brooks Jr. said, “I’ve always shot the ball good from the mid-range and from the free-throw line, and now the next step was shooting it well from behind the arc. It gives our team more spacing, it gives us another dynamic.”

He’s noticing cracks in the defense that didn’t present itself during his freshman and sophomore seasons. Tracking switches has become second nature. He knows where the open space on the court is going to be before it arrives. If Brooks Jr. can shoot around the 35 percent range from distance this year on decent volume, Kentucky’s offense might not have any holes at all.

It’s a long season though, and Brooks Jr. has to be ready to play with high energy every game. It’s the expectation now. But that’s another aspect of his game that continues to grow during his time in Lexington.

“That’s the biggest stride I’ve made in my three years here,” Brooks Jr. added. “Just mentally being prepared to go out and be someone that’s relied on to make plays.”

So far, Brooks Jr. is quietly, and consistently, making plays.