When people talked about Dana Altman’s Oregon Ducks this offseason, it was usually about Elgin Cook, the returning scorer from last year’s group. Or even Tyler Dorsey, the five-star freshman phenom from Southern California.
Yet, through four games, it looks like everyone may have left out Oregon’s best player: Dillon Brooks.
Brooks averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds a game as a freshman last year, but has increased those numbers in this young season to 14 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, all while increasing his minutes, field goal attempts, and on-court efficiency.
His season did start off slowly, but his scoring has increased every game thus far and it’s not for just any reason. His motor is undeniable. In recent nights, he’s made a point of attacking the offensive glass, pushing the ball out in transition when he secures a defensive board, and cutting to open spots on the floor. Simply put, his game is maturing.
That’s a frightening proposition from a team that lacks the dynamic scorer of someone like Joseph Young from last year, but might have more all-around weapons. Not to mention, their man-to-man defense has looked stifling at times this season, completely taking offensive-powered Valparaiso out of rhythm for much of the second half in their win over the Crusaders.
If you’re looking for under-the-radar fantasy buys, or simply a new blue-collar game to obsess over, turn your attention to the woods of Eugene, where Brooks is quietly making a name for himself as one of the Pac-12’s best young talents around.
