Recruiting report: Phillip Brooks (2018)
KANSAS CITY — A 5-foot-9 2018 point guard, Phillip Brooks is off to a strong start this spring for the Kansas City Keys and is starting to draw interest from a host of college programs. Known for his ability to…
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Continue ReadingKANSAS CITY — A 5-foot-9 2018 point guard, Phillip Brooks is off to a strong start this spring for the Kansas City Keys and is starting to draw interest from a host of college programs.
Known for his ability to create for himself and others, Brooks helped lead Lee’s Summit West to a 19-8 season in 2015-16, playing alongside several talented teammates.
“I would describe my game as a creator for me and for my teammates,” he says. “Actually mostly for my teammates because when I break down my defender there’s normally always help coming and I’m able to give my teammate the ball so that he can score.
“Also my defense allows me to guard anybody from a guard stand point on the court which then leads to many scoring opportunities on the end. Last, when the game is slow or we need to put some points on the board I can do that.”
This summer he says he is working on using his speed to score more points.
“For example I’m working on my floater and my step back or pull-up jump shot,” he said “Also cause havoc on the defense end because players are finding new ways to score everyday.”
Brooks says the Keys are off to a strong start, winning two of three tournaments in the spring.
“One of the highlights that we’ve done is that we are starting to do lots of lob plays and I finally started dunking this season,” he said.
Brooks said he doesn’t yet have any offers, but has heard personally from South Dakota, Cincinnati, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois, Colgate University, Louisiana State University and University of Central Missouri.
He says his parents have been the biggest influence on his basketball career to date, but said others have played a part as well.
“The story starts way back in kindergarten or first grade with coach James Price,” he says. “I’ll never forget the clock he carried with him all the time and all the running that came with it. When I look back I think that is one of the best things that happened because it helped my endurance tremendously.
“Then in fifth grade I switched to a team called the Supersonics in the team was coached by a man named Tyrone Taylor. He help me with my mental toughness and ability to score the basketball through his intelligence of the game and his yelling. …”
On the court, Brooks says he enjoys watching several NBA guards, including Stephen Curry, Damien Lillard and Chris Paul.
“Chris Paul because he is a great leader, can score when he needs to, and creates the shots for himself and others so well,” he said. “Damien Lillard because he’s my favorite player in the NBA right now but he also is one the youngest starting point guards in the league.
“He can do just about everything from an athletic standpoint to a fundamental standpoint. Also he can go off if the games on the line and their team needs to win.”