Dillon Brooks turns into hero for Canada in FIBA medal-clinching OT win vs USA

Ever since Canada arrived in Manila to play in the final phase of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Dillon Brooks, who has a reputation as a bit of a basketball "villain", had been hearing boos from the crowd.

But those jeers turned into cheers as Brooks, who will play for the Houston Rockets in the coming NBA season, was showered with MVP chants during Canada's bronze medal game against a stacked USA squad on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

"It was my second time, they did the same thing in Jakarta. It's just an amazing feeling to be recognized during the game," Brooks said in the post-game interview.

Brooks turned into Canada's hero as he dropped a whopping 39-point performance on top of four rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks to steer the Canadians to a 127-118 overtime victory against the USA for the podium finish.

At one point, Brooks literally could not miss as he ended the half with a perfect 5-of-5 shooting from the field.

According to the 27-year-old forward, he's used to getting the hate, stressing it only makes him better as a person and as a player.

"I appreciate it. From the beginning, everybody was throwing shots on Twitter, on Instagram, but you know, they just helped me to get better and better each and every day," he said.

"It motivates me to be better on the court for my teammates, for whatever team I'm playing for. It just motivates me to keep going."

Still, Brooks, whose performance against the USA allowed him to break the 69-year-old record for most points in a medal-winning game in the World Cup, said the work continues for himself and Team Canada.

"But I never take it for granted. The work doesn't stop here. I'm not satisfied and neither is anyone from this team."

—JMB, GMA Integrated News