Keion Brooks got nine rebounds Wednesday and coach John Calipari liked the way he rebounded in traffic. (Jeff Houchin/Nolan Media)
Keion Brooks had a terrific game for Kentucky — 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting, nine rebounds, two blocks, on assist and only one turnover in 27 minutes — in Wednesday’s 83-56 win over Missouri.
However, I think he had an even better postgame press conference.
Brooks, a junior, certainly has heard the “noise” comparing him to teammate Jacob Toppin who is perhaps the team’s most athletic and energetic player. They play the same forward position and both fans and media have wondered aloud if Toppin is not the better fit with UK starters Sahvir Wheeler, TyTy Washington, Oscar Tshiebwe, and Kellan Grady.
Brooks might be the better offensive player, but the theory is Toppin is the better defender/rebounder and plays with more energy.
Kentucky coach John Calipari says he’s not worried which one has the “hot hand” because he’s looking for energy, rebounding and physical play.
“If they do the other things, they will score,” Calipari said.
Brooks could have tooted his own horn just a bit after his play. He could have said I told you I can play. He did none of that and spent more time praising Toppin than himself.
“I don’t think we are really battling for minutes,” he said. “One of these games, both of us are going to play real well at the same time.”
Toppin had four points and one rebound in 11 minutes against Missouri.
“We literally do everything together,” Brooks said while adding that the competitive fire pushes them both every day. “He has helped me get a lot better and I hope I have done the same for him.”
Brooks calls Toppin a “good dude” and says they are similar in many ways, including their body type.
“We just kind of mesh,” Brooks said. “Jacob is special because he is always positive. Me and him play the same position. We could not be friends and not talk to each other but he goes out of his way to be my friend and I try to be the same for him. That’s what makes our bond special.”
Brooks admits Toppin’s non-stop energy along with the “way he can fly around, be aggressive and use his athleticism to guard so many people.”
That’s why Brooks thinks having a teammate like Toppin is good for him and Kentucky.
“Coach has a good problem deciding where to play us,” Brooks said.
3 Responses
The thing is will Brooks give that energy more often as the season progress. He hasn’t been the go guy like Oscar brings since he has arrived to UK. He reminds me of Winston Bennet when he plays hard.
Keion has better games when the other team tries to lock down Kellan. Jacob seems to find his game when Kellan is having a good game. It all starts with Sahvir though and last night he was looking for his shot first. This team is still a work in progress meaning it could get quite a bit better or go the other direction with selfish play. The physical play definitely bothered Oscar’s offense but he still came up with 13 & 20. I know he is thinking about providing for his family, but he is not NBA ready. If he stays another year at UK it will more than pay for itself in his pro career. Truth is there are not enough minutes and shots to go around for everyone. It helps when they play fast but that limits the number of shots for Sahvir if he plays the right way. It’s early and it will take a couple of more Notre Dame type games to sort this out.
I hate to say this, but there have been a lot of Ky kids that were not really NBA ready as far as we are concerned as fans, wanting to see them come back, but when its millions of dollars that these kids, that were not ready are making. You certainly cant blame them.
But I will be happy for Oscar, no matter what he decides to do at the end of the year. I just want to keep counting those rebounds every game. He has sure brought back the excitement of Ky basketball with Wheeler, Brooks, and the rest of this fun team.
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