In their first exhibition of the year, Oregon fans were introduced to a new and improved Dillon Brooks.
Brooks, who led the team with a game-high 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting in the Ducks’ 92-44 win over Northwest Christian, showed off what a summer of hard work and international competition can do.
With Villanova transfer Dylan Ennis out for “awhile,” according to Dana Altman, Brooks picked up much of the slack.
“I feel really bad for him,” Altman said. “We’re going to have to revaluate a lot things. We got to readjust.”
For Brooks, this past summer was essential for his progression. As a member of Canada’s Senior National Team, Brooks won a silver medal at the Pan American Games, beating Team USA in the semifinals. His growth on and off the court was a bi-product of a new diet, training regimen and overall improvement in attitude.
Judging from this game, Brooks looks to have added more explosiveness to his game.
“I feel real comfortable,” Brooks said. “The ball is just getting flown to me from my teammates and it was just falling in. I felt like overall, over the summer, I put in the work and it felt easy out there.”
While an exhibition game offers little insight on projections for the new year, Brooks’ sound outing against the Northwest Christian just might be a preview for what’s to come. Look no further than his acrobatic finishes at the rim, first step on the boards and improved individual defense.
Starting for the Ducks at the two-guard was freshman and reigning Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of California Tyler Dorsey. Dorsey, Oregon’s top prospect in the 2015 recruiting class and only recruit ranked inside the top 100, added 15 points and eight rebounds in his debut.
Dorsey’s outside shooting and size advantage added a new dynamic to Oregon’s depth at the guard position.
“Tyler is a great player,” Brooks said. “He showed it in the open practice, too, knocking down threes. His upside, potential is unlimited.”
Reigning Spalding NJCAA Division I Player of the Year Chris Boucher also showed his versatility as Oregon’s new big man with 11 points and seven blocks.
“Chris is a unique player,” Altman said. “Gifted player and skinny. He’s going to be a lot of fun to work with.”
“He’s a freak out there,” Brooks added.
Returners Dwayne Benjamin (13) and Elgin Cook (13) both finished in double figures in the scoring department.
Against a much weaker NCU opponent, Oregon previewed its strengths, which include athletes that can attack the rim, big men that can stretch the floor and most importantly, depth at every position. Its only real weakness in this game was shooting 1-for-17 from three-point range.
“It didn’t look like it tonight, but we do have a good shooting team,” Altman said. “We just got in a hurry. That’s what happens when you take some quick ones early.”
Oregon will round out their preseason against Southern Oregon next Sunday.
Follow Hayden Kim on Twitter @HayDayKim