Garrison Brooks (208-C-1999, college: MSU) is a 25 year old 208cm center playing his third professional season and second with Lithuanian team BC Wolves. Last season he was briefly in Korea and then finished the season with the BC Wolves averaging 8.1ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 61.8%, FT: 71.8%;and in the Eurocup averaging 7.6ppg, 4.3rpg, FGP: 70.7%, FT: 62.5%. He palyed his rookie season with the Westchester Knicks (NBA G League) averaging 13.6ppg, Reb-3 (11.6rpg), 2.4apg, FGP: 62.3%, FT: 59.5%. He began his basketball career at Auburn High School and then played 4 years at the University of North Carolina playing a total of 133 games. He played a fifth season with Mississippi State University (NCAA) averaging 10.4ppg, 6.6rpg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 69.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against ratiopharm ulm.

Thanks Garrison for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Right now I´m in Lithuania playing with the BC Wolves. This is my second season with the team and I´m more comfortable with the situation as it is my second season.

Your playing a Eurocup game in Germany soon. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Have you had teammates that have balled in Germany in the past?

I know a little about Germany, because I visited Heidelberg in high school. I played at the Albert Schweitzer tournament. I had a teammate play in Germany last season with Al Durham.

Your playing your third professional season and second with Lithuanian club BC Wolves. The team is only in it´s third year of existence. How exciting is it playing with this so young Organization?

It´s fun, because I realize that I´m part of history. I´m part of a program at the start that´s going to be really well one day.

After a tough start in Korea last year, you changes teams and went to Lithuania. You finished the season strong with the BC Wolves averaging 8.1ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 61.8%, FT: 71.8%; and in the Eurocup averaged 7.6ppg, 4.3rpg, FGP: 70.7%, FT: 62.5%. What is your biggest goal as a player this season besides winning? Do you feel like your game will grow this season?

My game has gotten better through the off season and pre season. It has been fun to see how much better I have gotten. Everyone has pushed me so much here to work harder and make adjustments to my game.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 208cm center. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would fit the description best?

I try to play like Lamarcus Aldridge.

You’re a player that can score, rebound and also likes to get your teammates involved with the pass. What is your biggest strength on the court?

Versatility is my biggest strength. I try to do all those things you mentioned. I would say also that rebounding is a big strength of mine.

Would you still classify yourself as a raw defender? What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I wouldn´t say that I´m a raw defender. I try to communicate well and guarding well and sticking to the scheme.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

Decisions in the short role and better free throw shooting.

Before coming to Lithuania last season, you played briefly in Korea. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas for your first season where you knew that you were far away from home?

Not being able to speak English to anyone.

You played your rookie season with the Westchester Knicks (NBA G League) averaging 13.6ppg, Reb-3 (11.6rpg), 2.4apg, FGP: 62.3%, FT: 59.5%. You really had a superb rookie season in the G-league and were a rebound monster? Was an NBA call more difficult because the Knicks were filled well with big men?

No I don´t think so. A NBA call up is difficult in general. It is just a very hard task to do.

How valuable was head coach Desagana Diop in your rookie season? It isn´t always easy to get minutes as a rookie, but he seemed to have total faith in you?

He was great. He helped me everyday. He helped me get better so much and has absolute trust in me in my rookie season.

You played at the University of North Carolina from 2017-2021 and had great stats despite having future NBA players left and right. What was the coolest thing about playing at one of America´s greatest basketball institutions? What did you like most about it?

I really liked how everybody wants to play us and everybody wants to beat us. We knew that we would always get every teams best effort and it was always competitive. I´m also really thankful for being able to play for a great coach with Roy Williams.

You reached 3 NCAA tournaments and reached the Sweet 16 in 2019. What do you remember most from that run?

All the wins in conference play. We won every game on the road. That was a tough thing to do.

You had a great 5-3 record against rival Duke. You had many great games against them. What was your favorite game against them?

In my second season we won the regular season. That was pretty cool.

Future NBA players Theo Pinson, Cameron Johnson, Nassir Little, Leaky Black, Coby While, and Cole Anthony were your teammates. What teammate in those 4 years had the biggest impact on you?

Cameron Johnson because he was my mentor.

How vital was head coach Roy Williams in your basketball development? How did he groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He did a great job instilling fundamentals and teaching me to play within the team. It was great playing for him.

You played a fifth season at Mississippi State University (NCAA) averaging 10.4ppg, 6.6rpg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 69.2%. You played for your dad. How cool was this experience? How did your game grow in this season?

It was fun to paly for my dad and it is something my family will always remember. My three point shooting grew in that season.

Your last NCAA game at March Madness was a tough 60-57 loss to Virginia. Is this one of those games that you will never forget?

Yes I won´t forget it. It was my last one.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Armando Bacot?

Yes I beat him.

Who was the greatest player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA?

Zion Williamson. He was really explosive.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

College teammates Luke Maye, Cameron Johnson, Coby White, Armando Bacot, and RJ Davis

Pro teammates Jeffery Taylor, Dequan Jefferies, Duane Washington, DJ Glossen, TreShawn Thurman

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Anthony Davis

Who is your GOAT?

Michael Jordan

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America film? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

Yes they shouldn´t have made a second one.

Thanks Garrison for the chat.