Canada’s Dillon Brooks says he’s ‘the best perimeter defender’ in all of basketball

If Canada’s Dillon Brooks is one thing, it’s consistent.

Known by most as one of the NBA’s villains, Brooks has always had extreme confidence in his own game.

And after aiding Canada’s run to the final four at the FIBA World Cup, it appears his confidence is at an all-time high.

“I’m the best perimeter defender in this tournament, in the world, in the NBA,” Brooks told Sportal’s Christos Tsaltas in an exclusive interview.

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The 27-year-old forward’s bold claim comes one day after putting on what Canadian head coach Jordi Fernandez called a “defensive clinic” against Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic.

However, things are never cut and dry with Brooks, as he was ejected to start the fourth quarter after receiving his second unsportsmanlike foul.

Fernandez said post game that Brooks “has to be better” in those situations as the team will need him on the floor in its quest for World Cup gold.

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In the semis against Serbia, Brooks, along with Luguentz Dort, will likely draw the assignment of trying to corral Bogdan Bogdanovic, who is averaging 18.8 points per game throughout the tournament.

This is not the first time this year that Brooks has made headlines with his bold choice of words. During the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs he made waves in the basketball world by going after LeBron James.

Brooks and James got tangled up in Game 2 of a Round 1 series between the Los Angeles and Memphis Grizzlies. After the game, Brooks issued a challenge to one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

“I don’t care — he’s old. You know what I mean?” Brooks said post-game of the altercation with James. “I was waiting for that. I was expecting him to do that Game 4, Game 5. He wanted to say something when I got my fourth foul. He should have been saying that earlier on. But I poke bears. I don’t respect no one until they come and give me 40.”

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The challenge ended up backfiring on Brooks, as James and the Lakers would go on to eliminate the Grizzlies in six games. Brooks then took some heavy abuse around the league for failing to back up his words.

But if his comments Thursday made one thing clear, it’s that one playoff series loss isn’t going to change the way he carries himself.

You can watch Brooks and the Canadians take on Serbia in the semifinals live on Sportsnet and SN NOW at 4:45 a.m. ET / 1:45 a.m. PT.

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