Dillon Brooks Bio
Dillon Brooks is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing around 225 pounds, he plays primarily as a small forward and shooting guard. Brooks is widely recognized for his scoring ability, perimeter defense, and competitive intensity on the court.
Born and raised in Canada, Brooks rose to prominence through college basketball at the University of Oregon before being selected in the 2017 NBA draft. Over the course of his professional career, he has played for the Memphis Grizzlies, the Houston Rockets, and the Phoenix Suns, establishing himself as a versatile two-way player and a key contributor for every team he has represented.
Early Life and Background
Dillon Brooks was born on January 22, 1996, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in the Greater Toronto Area, he developed an early passion for basketball and began training seriously as a teenager. His athletic frame and scoring instincts were apparent from a young age, and he quickly became one of the top young prospects in Canadian basketball circles.
Brooks attended Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School in Toronto, where he played for the school basketball team and gained regional recognition. He later transferred to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, one of the most prestigious basketball preparatory schools in the United States. Competing against top-tier American talent during his high school years helped sharpen his skills and prepared him for the demands of NCAA Division I basketball.
Path to Basketball
Following his prep career at Findlay Prep, Brooks committed to the University of Oregon, joining the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball program. As a freshman, he averaged 11.5 points per game and was named to the Pac-12 Conference all-freshman team, signaling his immediate impact at the collegiate level. His ability to score from multiple positions and defend on the perimeter made him a centerpiece of the Ducks’ rotation.
During his sophomore season, Brooks led Oregon to the Pac-12 Conference regular season title and a top-ten national ranking. He was recognized as a first-team All-Pac-12 selection and earned third-team All-American honors from The Sporting News. After choosing to return for his junior year, he was named a consensus second-team All-American and won the Pac-12 Player of the Year award in 2017. Across three college seasons, he averaged 14.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 28.9 minutes per game before declaring for the 2017 NBA draft.
Dillon Brooks Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Brooks was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 45th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft and was immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He signed his rookie scale contract on July 21, 2017, and made an immediate impression in his NBA debut on October 18, 2017, scoring 19 points to set a record for the most points scored by a Canadian-born player in an NBA debut.
In his first full season, Brooks established himself as a reliable scoring option and perimeter defender for the Grizzlies. On April 11, 2018, he scored 36 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder, showcasing his offensive ceiling. His combination of scoring, defense, and energy helped Memphis remain competitive in the Western Conference.
Memphis Grizzlies (2017–2023)
Brooks spent the first six seasons of his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies, evolving into one of the team’s core players. In December 2018, he was at the center of a confusing trade situation involving the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns, in which another team believed they were acquiring Dillon Brooks when the Grizzlies had intended to trade MarShon Brooks. The deal collapsed, and Brooks remained in Memphis.
He began the 2019–20 season as the Grizzlies’ starting shooting guard and averaged 16.1 points per game in the first half of the year. On February 5, 2020, he signed a three-year, $35 million contract extension with Memphis. On May 23, 2021, Brooks made his NBA playoff debut with 31 points in a 112–109 win over the top-seeded Utah Jazz, a signature early postseason performance.
During the 2022 NBA playoffs, Brooks was at the center of controversy after being assessed a flagrant 2 foul and ejected in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Golden State Warriors for hitting Gary Payton II in the head on a fast break. He was suspended for Game 3. At the end of the 2022–23 season, Brooks was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team for the first time in his career, capping his Memphis tenure on a high individual note.
Houston Rockets (2023–2025)
On July 8, 2023, Brooks was acquired by the Houston Rockets as part of a sign-and-trade agreement. He made his Rockets debut on October 26, 2023, recording 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists in a 116–86 loss to the Orlando Magic. He transitioned into a veteran role in Houston, providing perimeter defense and outside shooting.
On January 27, 2025, Brooks delivered one of the most explosive performances of his career, hitting a career-high and franchise-record ten three-pointers on his way to 36 points in a 114–112 win over the Boston Celtics. His scoring outburst highlighted his offensive growth during his time in Houston and underscored his value as a sharpshooting wing.
Phoenix Suns Era (2025–Present)
On July 6, 2025, Brooks was traded, alongside Jalen Green, to the Phoenix Suns as part of a seven-team deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Rockets. The move placed him on a new-look Suns roster with championship aspirations. In November 2025, Brooks was fined $25,000 for making a lewd gesture on the court during a game against the Indiana Pacers.
On December 14, 2025, Brooks scored 18 points on six-of-nine shooting in a 116–114 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The game featured several tense moments between him and LeBron James, including a clutch three-pointer Brooks made over James to give the Suns a one-point lead with 12.2 seconds left. After believing James had committed an uncalled foul, Brooks bumped James’s shoulder, earning a second technical foul and ejection.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brooks is best known for his perimeter scoring, mid-range efficiency, and tenacious on-ball defense. He combines a strong frame with quick feet, allowing him to guard multiple positions. His ability to hit contested shots and remain composed in high-pressure situations makes him a reliable late-game option, while his competitive fire often sets the tone for his teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Brooks’s career are his NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection in 2023, his FIBA World Cup Best Defensive Player award in 2023, and his franchise-record ten three-pointers for the Rockets in January 2025. He also holds the record for most points scored by a Canadian player in an NBA debut, set in 2017.
Dillon Brooks Career Wins
Dillon Brooks has built a reputation as a high-impact player rather than a perennial champion, contributing to team success through scoring, defense, and intensity. His most celebrated team accomplishment came on the international stage, where he helped Canada win a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the country’s first global basketball medal since 1936. He also captured a silver medal with Canada at the 2015 Pan American Games.
NBA and College Highlights
In the NBA, Brooks has reached the playoffs multiple times with the Memphis Grizzlies, including a Western Conference semifinals appearance in 2022. At the University of Oregon, he led the Ducks to a Pac-12 regular season title and a top-ten national ranking, earning Pac-12 Player of the Year honors in 2017.
International Highlights
On the international stage, Brooks was instrumental in Canada’s bronze medal run at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, recording a team-best 39 points in a victory over the United States, the highest single-game scoring total by a Canadian player in World Cup history. He was also named to Canada’s roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Dillon Brooks Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Brooks has generally kept his family life out of the public eye. Public details about his parents and siblings have not been widely reported in verified sources. He is the father of two children, born during his relationship with Heather Andrews, with whom he began a relationship in 2018.
Personal Life
In June 2025, TMZ reported that Brooks was filing a restraining order against Andrews, citing destruction of property and threats, including threats against his mother. The filing came approximately one year after Andrews had submitted her own restraining order against him. Brooks also became an angel investor in Panda Hub, a mobile car detailing marketplace, in 2024 after using the service as a customer in Houston.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Brooks. After spending two seasons with the Houston Rockets, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns in July as part of a blockbuster seven-team deal, immediately joining a roster built to contend in the Western Conference. His early contributions in Phoenix have been marked by efficient scoring and perimeter defense, though the season has included disciplinary moments, including a $25,000 fine in November.
On December 14, 2025, Brooks delivered one of the most talked-about performances of the NBA calendar, scoring 18 points and hitting a clutch go-ahead three-pointer over LeBron James late in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers. The game highlighted both his shot-making confidence and his emotional edge, as he was ejected after bumping James following the shot.
Looking ahead, Brooks remains a central figure in Phoenix’s rotation as the Suns pursue playoff positioning. His combination of veteran experience, defensive versatility, and shot-making ability positions him as a key piece for the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond.