Canada's influence in the NBA continues to grow, and Dillon Brooks just added to that trend.
The Memphis Grizzlies rookie set the record for points scored by a Canadian in his NBA debut, scoring 19 points in a 103-91 win against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. Former Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics forward Rick Fox held the previous record, having scored 13 points in his 1991 debut.
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What a debut for Dillon Brooks 🇨🇦
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) October 19, 2017
19 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists 💪 in Memphis’ win over New Orleans pic.twitter.com/1D3QHubORc
Dillon Brooks scored 19 points in Grizzlies' win, most by a Canadian-born player in his NBA debut; previous high set by Rick Fox (13) 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/dNGcPBPMCN
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) October 19, 2017
Brooks played 29 minutes in his maiden game, going 7-of-13 from the field and 5-of-7 from the free throw line. The 21-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., added five rebounds and two assists.
A former star at the University of Oregon, Brooks was drafted No. 45 overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2017 NBA draft and was immediately traded to Grizzlies. On the international stage, Brooks won silver with Canada at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.