Transfer center Nysier Brooks is settling in for Ole Miss basketball, but Kermit Davis wants more offense
The Ole Miss basketball team was in dire need of a strong inside presence when head coach Kermit Davis went searching the NCAA transfer portal in the spring.
Davis quickly identified Naysier Brooks, then at Miami (Fla.), as a potential fit.
Months later, the transition from the ACC to the SEC style of play is still a work in progress for Brooks, but he’s adjusting.
Through seven games, Brooks has admitted it’s been a period of adaptation and acclimation, ever since transferring to Oxford from Coral Gables.
Though the process seems to be heading in the right direction, according to the Rebel center.
“I’ve really just been trying to find my way on the defensive side of the ball these last couple games,” Brooks said. “Just get back to the person who I am. Not necessarily to say what I’m known for, but what I’m known for and that’s just rebounding the ball.”
Against Rider on Thursday, Brooks pulled down 15 rebounds.
His final rebounding tally was the most by a Rebel player in a game since Sebastian Saiz recorded the same amount against Georgia Tech in a 2017 NIT game.
Getting a more physical presence underneath the basket is what Brooks has been striving for over the last few games. But while the defensive aspect of Brooks’ game is rounding into what he envisions, the offensive aspect still needs work, Davis said.
“We’ve got to (Brooks) scoring the ball better,” Davis said. “We got to get him scoring it quicker and be more powerful. Like catch (then a) quick score. We got to get him to do that. He can make so much more progress.”
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Brooks, in his best 30 minutes to date, recorded a season-high 15 points against Mississippi Valley State last Friday.
He has only scored in double figures in three games.
With an average of eight points and 7.9 rebounds per game, Brooks has the chance to become a double-double force underneath the basket.
Against Mississippi Valley State and Rider, Brooks pulled down double-digit rebounds. Prior to that, he was averaging six boards per game through the first five games.
Making the decision to focus on his strengths, Brooks is putting his seven-foot frame to use and not in a negative way. He’s using good body control, only fouling out once through seven games and only getting more than three fouls one other time.
“I’m just really been trying to focus on the things that I’m great at,” Brooks said. “Making sure I do those. Even if the ball may not be going in the hole for me as frequently as I may like. I’m just been trying to just bring more of my defensive presence and protecting the rim.”
Brooks faces his toughest test yet when the Rebels play host to No. 18 Memphis Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.
