Ducks Digest

Oregon Ducks' Dillon Brooks, Canada Clinch Olympic Quarterfinals Spot

Canada ends pool play undefeated at 3-0 and Oregon Ducks' Dillon Brooks was a major reason why thanks to his continuous effort on the defensive end and spot-up shooting out on the perimeter.
Arden Cravalho|
Aug 2, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; Canada small forward Dillon Brooks (24) controls the ball against Spain small forward Santi Aldama (7) and small forward Alex Abrines (21) in the second half in a men’s group A basketball game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Aug 2, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; Canada small forward Dillon Brooks (24) controls the ball against Spain small forward Santi Aldama (7) and small forward Alex Abrines (21) in the second half in a men’s group A basketball game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. | John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

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Oregon Ducks

FIBA Dillon Brooks is definitely the best version of Brooks, even Final Four with Oregon version.

Canada knocked Spain out of contention of advancing to the knockout rounds with a 88-85 victory in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. Oregon's Brooks was showing off his continuous effort on the defensive end, but what has really been impressive with his play in Paris is the consistency to knock down spot-up shots on the perimeter. He has hands and feet ready to catch-and-fire at all times.

Against the Spaniards, Brooks finished with 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting from the field and 1-for-3 on three-pointers to go along with four rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

Through the first three games of the Olympics, Brooks has averaged 14.3 points per game (ranked 18th most) on 50.0% from the field and 60.0% from deep and 4.0 rebounds per game.

Canada small forward Dillon Brooks (24) defends against Spain small forward Alex Abrines (21)
Aug 2, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; Canada small forward Dillon Brooks (24) defends against Spain small forward Alex Abrines (21) in the second half in a men’s group A basketball game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. | John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was doing his best Michael Jordan impression with the steal and tongue sticking out during the fast break dunk on the other end. Canada's leader scored a game-high 20 points as well as grabbed three rebounds, two assists and one steal in the victory.

None of this celebrating about being the No.1 seed for Canada could've been possible without RJ Barrett and his clutch three-pointer to seal the win over Spain. Only two players in the Olympics have scored more points than the Maple Mamba (63 total points) and that's Giannis Antetokounmpo (81 total points) and Franz Wagner (65 total points). Elite company to be apart of.

After winning Group A, the run for gold is truly on for the former Duck and Canada. The knockout rounds begin on Aug. 6.

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Arden Cravalho
ARDEN CRAVALHO

Arden Cravalho is a reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI. He has been writing extensively about college athletics beginning in 2018, specifically as the lead writer and editor for SB Nation's 'The Slipper Still Fits.' Arden is a graduate of Gonzaga University and brings a deep understanding of college sports to his writing. Residing in San Francisco, California, Arden is also a part of the California Golden Bears' athletic department as a Ticket Sales and Service Account Executive. His overall experience and dedication to college athletics are evident in his insightfulness and analysis throughout all of his work.

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