Dillon Brooks erupted for 39 points to lead Canada to its first-ever bronze medal in the FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup. Canada managed a 127-118 overtime triumph over the United States on Sunday. The Americans suffered their third defeat of the event, having previously fallen to Lithuania in the second round and Germany in the semi-finals.
Dillon Brooks was relentless for Canada, scoring 39 points and hitting seven three-pointers. RJ Barret scored 23 points for the victors and clinched the deal with a three-pointer, giving his side a 124-115 advantage. The Americans were led by Anthony Edwards, who scored 24 points, and Austin Reaves, who scored 23.
DILLON BROOKS TODAY:
39 POINTS
66% FG
7/8 3PMBEAT TEAM USA. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/yU7klZg0Dg
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) September 10, 2023
Due to his past conflicts with several players, especially LeBron James, Brooks has a reputation among NBA fans as being despised. The Canadians did not let the game slip twice. Canada won in overtime because of clutch efforts from Dillon, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and RJ Barrett. After winning the previous two World Cups in 2010 and 2014, Team USA failed to medal in the World Cup for the second time in a row.
Both nations have previously secured a place in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. In a competition of this size, such as the World Cup or Olympics, Canada’s only other medal came in 1936. Canada fell to the United States 19-8 in the gold medal game at the Berlin Games.
Fans react to Dillon Brooks’ game-high performance to win bronze for Canada
Over 42 minutes, the new Houston Rockets’ forward ended with a career-high 39 points (5/10 2PT, 7/8 3PT, 8/10 FT), four rebounds, five assists, and 40 EFF. Brooks’ 39 points are also the most ever scored by a player in a medal-winning game in FIBA World Cup history.
Fans have a newfound respect for Dillon, as implied by reactions on X. “We owe you an apology, Dillon,” wrote a fan on X, referring to the time when fans trolled him over the scuffle with LeBron. Another user wrote, “If he balls out like this in Houston, He’s going to change everyone’s opinion about him.” An over-enthusiastic fan could not help but comment, “He owns the USA,” with a picture of Brooks.
These words of kindness are a little ironic considering Brooks’ time in the tournament before, but he well deserves them. The former Grizzlies winger was efficient and forceful, leading Canada to their greatest attacking performance of the tournament. Brooks led all scorers after scoring 21 points in the first half. His seven three-pointers were the most he has made in any game with the Grizzlies.
Canada began extra time with a 9-3 run (120-114) that proved decisive. After receiving boos for most of the tournament, Brooks received MVP chants from the crowd in overtime.