Brooks' Return Is Likely Difference Between UW Hoop Revival or Not

Keion Brooks Jr. refreshingly is a realist. After his University of Washington basketball team took a 25-point header against Arizona at home, a media inquisitor gently pressed him for an explanation.

"They just kicked our a--," Brooks said, not interested in sugar-coating anything.

That said, the former Kentucky transfer is face to face with another situation that demands a firm answer: Will you return for another college basketball season in Montlake?

A 6-foot-7 forward, Brooks seems to have accomplished what he set out to do by moving from the SEC to the Huskies, which was become the first option for his college team rather than a support piece, which he was for John Calipari.

A second-team All-Pac-12 selection, he showed high-level athleticism and averaged 17.7 points per game, which ranked him third in the conference, plus 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. 

However, here's the glaring downside in his game: as a mid-sized prospect, Brooks shot just 28.6 percent (32 of 112) from 3-point range, which immediately dulls his NBA prospects.

This offensive drawback probably leaves him with the option of playing in the G League to begin his pro pursuits or else spending another season in Montlake and developing a more NBA-friendly outside shot.

Brooks might not want to return to a UW program continually teetering at the .500 level now season after season.

Yet the Huskies, with coach Mike Hopkins retained but still very much on the hot seat to advance the program, likely won't show any noticeable improvement without this talented swingman coming back for 2023-24.

Brooks has promising returning guards in Keyon Menifield and Koren Johnson, plus touted incoming freshman Wesley Yates, to set him up and make him look good.

He has capable big men in Braxton Meah and Franck Kepnang returning to clear some space for him inside that would enable him to maneuver and get to the basket.

Brooks simply doesn't have a high-percentage 3-point shot, or a teammate with that degree of talent, to spread the floor and turn the Huskies into an upper-level conference team and NCAA tournament qualifier. 

That's not to say the UW coaching staff can't find a shooter somewhere in the portal, though Erik Stevenson thankfully is about to use up all of his college eligibility. 

But first things first, Keion Brooks: Are you coming back? 

Blunt answers are always welcome.

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