Keion Brooks only has 14 games on his NBA resume'.
But the New Orleans Pelicans forward, entering his second year, made the most of those 14 opportunities as an undrafted rookie this past season.
Now he’s hoping to get even more chances.
Three games into Summer League play and Brooks has shown the more minutes he gets, the more he’ll produce.
Brooks had his best showing in Las Vegas Tuesday night in the Pelicans’ 93-87 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Brooks came off the bench and finished with 16 points and 5 rebounds. He made 5 of the 9 shots he took. He also had a steal and an assist. He didn’t have any of the 26 turnovers the Pelicans committed.
“I’m just trying to get better at the things I was already kinda good at already,” Brooks said. “I know much isn’t going to be expected of me as far as creating my own shot. So it’s just about being a real good glue guy."
So for Brooks, it's all about doing the little things.
"Rebounding and defending and making open shots and guarding multiple positions," Brooks said. "I want to keep getting better at that stuff because there is always value in that.”
Brooks, who started his college career at Kentucky before transferring to Washington, spent most of last season with the Birmingham Squadron, the Pels’ G League affiliate. But he was signed to a 2-way contract in January. He started five of the last six games of the season as the injury-riddled Pelicans limped to the finish line. He recorded a double double (13 points and 10 rebounds) in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Four days later, he scored a season-high 20 points in a rematch against the Bucks.
"He's showing that he belongs here," teammates Jose Alvarado said during that late stretch of the season. "It's not only about scoring, but it's about his effort in everything he does. Defensively and rebounding. Obviously the offense is going to show. I'm happy for him. He's going to be a good player in the NBA."
Brooks’ minutes steadily increased in the first three games of Summer League. He scored just 3 points in the first game against the Minnesota Timberwolves when he played 16 minutes. In the second game against the Los Angeles Lakers, he scored 9 points in 18 minutes. On Tuesday, he logged 26 minutes and was the second leading scorer behind Antonio Reeves (18 points and Derik Queen (17 points). The Pelicans played their fourth game late Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Brooks credits his time playing in those 14 games a few months ago for helping him play like he played Tuesday.
“I’ve been comfortable the whole time,” Brooks said. “Last year I got some good experience being able to play in the league and play against some really good players. Now it’s just a matter of time of things falling into place. My coaches never stopped believing in my abilities and what I can do. It’s just a matter of putting it together all the time.”