Darren Brooks
Encyclopedia
Darren Darnell Brooks is American
professional basketball player. A 6'3" (1.91 m), 205-pound (93 kg) point guard
/ shooting guard
, Brooks' professional career began in 2005–06 and has taken him to numerous countries and leagues around the world. He is best known in the United States for his collegiate career at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
(SIU), however, where he was the back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year
.
to parents Jacqueline, who is a real estate agent, and Thomas, who works for Boeing
. He was a multi-sport star athlete at Jennings High School while playing quarterback
for the football
team, pitcher and shortstop
for the baseball
team, and as an undersized center
for the basketball team.
In football, Brooks was named the conference's player of the year after leading the league in both passing yards and touchdown passes. It was claimed that he could throw a football over 60 yards in the air. Both the Wisconsin Badgers
and Iowa Hawkeyes
asked Brooks to walk-on to their teams to play quarterback for them. In baseball, he was recruited by Major League Baseball
's Atlanta Braves
and Arizona Diamondbacks
to sign with them and play professionally. Although he received offers from these schools and professional teams, Brooks stuck with basketball.
Despite being only 6'3", Brooks was utilized as an undersized center. During his 1999–2000 senior
season, he averaged 25.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and guided his school to a 26–8 record where they lost in the state's 3A semifinals. For the year, Brooks scored a still-standing school record 775 points. He was a finalist for the "Mr. Show-Me Basketball
" award, which is given annually to the top boys' high school basketball player in the state of Missouri
. To cap his career he scored 24 points in the Missouri All-Stars game.
and played in two total games during his freshman
season before redshirting the remainder of the year. As a redshirt freshman the next season, he came off the bench to average 9.4 points per game while his 340 total points were the seventh most in the nation for players who did not start. In a first round match-up of the 2002 NCAA Tournament
he scored 16 points as #11 SIU upset #6 Texas Tech, 76–68. The Salukis
were the "darling" of that year's tournament by making it all the way to the Sweet 16 before losing to #2 Connecticut
, 71–59.
In 2002–03
, Brooks' sophomore
season, he increased his scoring, rebounding, assists and steals per game averages. His 62 total steals were the most in the Missouri Valley Conference
and the second most in school history, while his 103 assists were the eighth most. He was named to the All-MVC Defensive Team and also earned the league's Most Improved Player award. SIU qualified for that year's NCAA Tournament
but lost in the opening round.
Brooks' junior
year saw him earn his first of two MVC Player of the Year and MVC Defensive Player of the Year awards as well as selections to the All-Defensive Team, First Team All-Conference and All-MVC Tournament Team. His 16.5 points per game led the conference while Brooks also landed in the top 10 in rebounds (8th), assists (9th) and steals (2nd). In a game against Drake
he recorded a school-record eight steals. The Associated Press
also named him an honorable mention All-American
. The Salukis earned an at-large bid to the 2004 NCAA Tournament
where they were given the #9 seed. They lost in the first round to #8 Alabama
by one point, however.
As a senior
in 2004–05
, Brooks entered the year as the consensus preseason conference player of the year. He did not disappoint, leading SIU to their fourth consecutive regular season Missouri Valley Conference championship. He led the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals and broke the program's single season records for steals (70) and assists (150). In the early season Las Vegas Invitational, Brooks was named the Tournament MVP. On the year he was in the conference's top five in several major per-game statistical categories, including steals (1st), assists (5th) and steals (5th). Once again, SIU qualified for the NCAA Tournament
, this time as a #7 seed. After defeating # 10 Saint Mary's in the opening round, the Salukis lost to #2 Oklahoma State, 85–77, in the round of 32, thus ending Brooks' collegiate career.
When Brooks graduated in 2005, he had become one of the most decorated men's basketball players in Missouri Valley Conference history. He was the first player ever to win both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons. Only one other player, Hersey Hawkins of Bradley
, had compiled at least 1,500 points, 600 rebounds, 400 assists and 250 steals. Brooks also won more games in a Saluki uniform than any other player in school history, and his guidance in their four consecutive regular season conference championships has not been duplicated. Despite his lauded career, Brooks went undrafted in that year's National Basketball Association Draft
.
team Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski
. He recorded seven points, three rebounds, one assist and, one block in his only game with the team. Finally, in February 2006, he signed with the NBA Development League
's Albuquerque Thunderbirds
for the remainder of the 2005–06 season. He appeared in 23 games and was part of the championship-winning Thunderbirds—their lone championship title before disbanding—as they defeated the Fort Worth Flyers
in the one-game final.
The following year, Brooks traveled to Australia
to play for the Perth Wildcats
in the National Basketball League
. He had a successful tenure with the Wildcats – he appeared in 34 games and averaged 15.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 steals per game. His steals average was the second highest in the league. Brooks shot 49% from the field and 40% from three-point
range. In May 2007, he temporarily signed with Atléticos de San Germán of Puerto Rico
's Baloncesto Superior Nacional, appearing in only nine games.
For the 2007–08 season he traveled to Germany
for a stint on BG Göttingen
, a team that competes in the Basketball Bundesliga
. In 33 games he averaged 13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Once again, Brooks left after one year. He then suited up for APOEL B.C.
in Cyprus
but only played in the 2009–10 preseason.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball player. A 6'3" (1.91 m), 205-pound (93 kg) point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
/ shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
, Brooks' professional career began in 2005–06 and has taken him to numerous countries and leagues around the world. He is best known in the United States for his collegiate career at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public research university located in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1869, SIUC is the flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University system...
(SIU), however, where he was the back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year
Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The Larry Bird Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is an annual basketball award given to the Missouri Valley Conference's most outstanding player. The award was first given following the 1968–69 season...
.
Early life and personal
Brooks was born in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
to parents Jacqueline, who is a real estate agent, and Thomas, who works for Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
. He was a multi-sport star athlete at Jennings High School while playing quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team, pitcher and shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
for the baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team, and as an undersized center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
for the basketball team.
In football, Brooks was named the conference's player of the year after leading the league in both passing yards and touchdown passes. It was claimed that he could throw a football over 60 yards in the air. Both the Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
and Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
asked Brooks to walk-on to their teams to play quarterback for them. In baseball, he was recruited by Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
and Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
to sign with them and play professionally. Although he received offers from these schools and professional teams, Brooks stuck with basketball.
Despite being only 6'3", Brooks was utilized as an undersized center. During his 1999–2000 senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
season, he averaged 25.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and guided his school to a 26–8 record where they lost in the state's 3A semifinals. For the year, Brooks scored a still-standing school record 775 points. He was a finalist for the "Mr. Show-Me Basketball
Mr. Show-Me Basketball
The Mr. Show-Me Basketball honor recognizes the top high school basketball player in the state of Missouri. The award is presented annually by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association. -Award winners:-Schools with multiple winners:...
" award, which is given annually to the top boys' high school basketball player in the state of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. To cap his career he scored 24 points in the Missouri All-Stars game.
College
Brooks entered SIU in 2000–012000–01 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2000–01 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 8, 2000, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 2, 2001 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in...
and played in two total games during his freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
season before redshirting the remainder of the year. As a redshirt freshman the next season, he came off the bench to average 9.4 points per game while his 340 total points were the seventh most in the nation for players who did not start. In a first round match-up of the 2002 NCAA Tournament
2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 12, 2002, and ended with the championship game on April 1 in Atlanta, Georgia...
he scored 16 points as #11 SIU upset #6 Texas Tech, 76–68. The Salukis
Southern Illinois Salukis men's basketball
The Southern Illinois Salukis basketball team represents Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Carbondale, Illinois. The Salukis compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Salukis are currently coached by Chris Lowery who led the team to the NCAA tournament in 2004 thru 2007. Lowery was...
were the "darling" of that year's tournament by making it all the way to the Sweet 16 before losing to #2 Connecticut
Connecticut Huskies men's basketball
The Connecticut Huskies is the name of the men's college basketball team representing the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, Connecticut, USA. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
, 71–59.
In 2002–03
2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2002, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2003 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 7, 2003 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans,...
, Brooks' sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
season, he increased his scoring, rebounding, assists and steals per game averages. His 62 total steals were the most in the Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
and the second most in school history, while his 103 assists were the eighth most. He was named to the All-MVC Defensive Team and also earned the league's Most Improved Player award. SIU qualified for that year's NCAA Tournament
2003 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2003 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 18, 2003, and ended with the championship game on April 7 in New Orleans, Louisiana...
but lost in the opening round.
Brooks' junior
Junior (education)
"Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman...
year saw him earn his first of two MVC Player of the Year and MVC Defensive Player of the Year awards as well as selections to the All-Defensive Team, First Team All-Conference and All-MVC Tournament Team. His 16.5 points per game led the conference while Brooks also landed in the top 10 in rebounds (8th), assists (9th) and steals (2nd). In a game against Drake
Drake Bulldogs men's basketball
The Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Drake University, located in Des Moines, Iowa, in NCAA Division I basketball competition.The team's current coach is Mark Phelps, previously an assistant at Arizona State, who was hired after the 2007-08 season...
he recorded a school-record eight steals. The Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
also named him an honorable mention All-American
NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The NCAA Men's Basketball All-American teams are honorary teams made up of those NCAA basketball players voted the best in the country by a variety of organizations.-History:...
. The Salukis earned an at-large bid to the 2004 NCAA Tournament
2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 16, 2004, and ended with the championship game on April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio,...
where they were given the #9 seed. They lost in the first round to #8 Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball
The Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball program has a history of being among the best of the Southeastern Conference . It trails only Kentucky in basketball wins, SEC tournament titles, and SEC regular season titles in the 12-member conference. The team is coached by head coach Anthony Grant,...
by one point, however.
As a senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
in 2004–05
2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2004, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on April 2, 2005 at the Edward Jones Dome in Saint Louis,...
, Brooks entered the year as the consensus preseason conference player of the year. He did not disappoint, leading SIU to their fourth consecutive regular season Missouri Valley Conference championship. He led the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals and broke the program's single season records for steals (70) and assists (150). In the early season Las Vegas Invitational, Brooks was named the Tournament MVP. On the year he was in the conference's top five in several major per-game statistical categories, including steals (1st), assists (5th) and steals (5th). Once again, SIU qualified for the NCAA Tournament
2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 15, 2005, and ended with the championship game on April 4 at the Edward Jones Dome in St...
, this time as a #7 seed. After defeating # 10 Saint Mary's in the opening round, the Salukis lost to #2 Oklahoma State, 85–77, in the round of 32, thus ending Brooks' collegiate career.
When Brooks graduated in 2005, he had become one of the most decorated men's basketball players in Missouri Valley Conference history. He was the first player ever to win both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons. Only one other player, Hersey Hawkins of Bradley
Bradley Braves men's basketball
The Bradley Braves men's basketball team represents Bradley University, located in Peoria, Illinois, in NCAA Division I basketball competition. They currently compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2006, reaching the...
, had compiled at least 1,500 points, 600 rebounds, 400 assists and 250 steals. Brooks also won more games in a Saluki uniform than any other player in school history, and his guidance in their four consecutive regular season conference championships has not been duplicated. Despite his lauded career, Brooks went undrafted in that year's National Basketball Association Draft
2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
.
Professional
When he was passed up in the draft, Brooks signed with the Dutch team MPC Capitals and played for them until November. Appearing in only six games, he then left the squad and signed with the PolishPoland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
team Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski
Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski
Stal Ostrów Wlkp. is a Polish basketball team, based in Ostrów Wielkopolski, playing in Dominet Bank Ekstraliga.- Roster : Jarrid Loyd David Godbold Rafal Partyka Tomasz Robert Witka Krzysztof Roszyk Mateusz Jarmakowicz Bartosz Bochno Maciej Strzelecki Sebastian SzymanskiHead Coach: Sasa Obradovic...
. He recorded seven points, three rebounds, one assist and, one block in his only game with the team. Finally, in February 2006, he signed with the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
's Albuquerque Thunderbirds
Albuquerque Thunderbirds
The New Mexico Thunderbirds were a professional NBA Development League minor league basketball team which played from 2005-2011. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Thunderbirds first played their home games at Tingley Coliseum as the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, then played at the Santa Ana Star...
for the remainder of the 2005–06 season. He appeared in 23 games and was part of the championship-winning Thunderbirds—their lone championship title before disbanding—as they defeated the Fort Worth Flyers
Fort Worth Flyers
The Fort Worth Flyers is the name of a now defunct team of the NBA Development League minor league basketball expansion team based in Fort Worth, Texas. They began play in the 2005-06 season. The decision was made by the NBADL to not operate this team for the 2007-08 season.- Franchise history...
in the one-game final.
The following year, Brooks traveled to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
to play for the Perth Wildcats
Perth Wildcats
The Perth Wildcats are an Australian professional basketball team competing in the National Basketball League. The Wildcats are the only team in the league representing the state of Western Australia and are based in the state capital, Perth...
in the National Basketball League
National Basketball League (Australasia)
The National Basketball League, also known as the iiNet NBL Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Australasia....
. He had a successful tenure with the Wildcats – he appeared in 34 games and averaged 15.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 steals per game. His steals average was the second highest in the league. Brooks shot 49% from the field and 40% from three-point
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
range. In May 2007, he temporarily signed with Atléticos de San Germán of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
's Baloncesto Superior Nacional, appearing in only nine games.
For the 2007–08 season he traveled to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
for a stint on BG Göttingen
BG Göttingen
BG Göttingen is a German basketball club based in Göttingen, Niedersachsen . In 2010, the club won the EuroChallenge against Krasnye Krylya Samara from Russia...
, a team that competes in the Basketball Bundesliga
Basketball Bundesliga
The Basketball Bundesliga — commonly abbreviated BBL — is the highest level league of club basketball in Germany. The league comprises 18 teams. A BBL season is split into a league stage and a playoff stage...
. In 33 games he averaged 13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Once again, Brooks left after one year. He then suited up for APOEL B.C.
APOEL B.C.
APOEL is a professional basketball team from Nicosia, Cyprus. APOEL is one of the most successful basketball clubs in Cyprus by winning 10 Championships, 11 Cups and 10 Supercups. APOEL B.C. is part of the APOEL multisport club.-History:...
in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
but only played in the 2009–10 preseason.