It really hasn't even started to sink in yet for Keion Brooks.
Eventually though, the New Orleans Pelicans' undrafted rookie forward knows it will.
"It'll probably hit me this offseason," Brooks said. "I just want to continue to stay in the moment. Continue to learn and take it from there."
The sample size may be small, but Brooks seems ready to seize his moment.
He played in just his seventh NBA game Sunday when the Pelicans outlasted the Charlotte Hornets 98-94 in Smoothie King Center. He didn't just play, but he also made an impact. He scored a team-high 17 points, making him the 13th different player to lead the Pelicans in scoring in a game this season.
Not bad for a guy who has spent more time in Birmingham with the Pelicans' G League team than in New Orleans.
"It's all about opportunity," Brooks said. "When the opportunity came, I was prepared. I've been playing all year. Down in the G League, the coaches down there made sure I was prepared for whenever my opportunity came. It's just working and believing and I have a lot of faith in God."
Brooks scored the game-sealing basket Sunday on an assist from Jose Alvarado with six seconds left.
The 17 points was a season-high for Brooks, who came off the bench and played 26 minutes. It was his third straight game reaching double figures after scoring 11 points in Friday's loss to the Golden State Warriors and 10 points in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers the game before that. The game against the 76ers was his first and only NBA start so far. In that one, he found out he was starting shortly before tip-off. The late notice that night, he admits, was a good thing.
"It was definitely better that way," Brooke said. "I probably wouldn't have been able to sleep the night before."
But his best game came Sunday as he stuffed the stat sheet. In addition to his 17 points, he also reached career highs in rebounds (8), blocked shots (3) and steals (2). His two assists tied his season-best. He also made one of his four 3-point attempts.
Pelicans assistant coach James Borrego filled in Sunday for Willie Green who missed the game due to personal reasons. Borrego likes what he saw in Brooks.
"Keion had a heckuva game," Borrego said. "His energy. His physicality. He can make shots. He's a heady player. Physical size to guard as well. We are going to need that moving forward. He's trending in the right way. Give him a ton of credit. It looks like he's playing with a lot more confidence right now as well. I'm really proud of him."
But Brooks isn't satisfied. He knows there is a lot more work to do. This time a year ago, he was finishing up his career at the University of Washington where he averaged 21.1 points and 6.8 rebounds on his way to earning first team All Pac-12 honors.
"I just want to continue to develop and show everybody that I'm a winning player and I make winning plays," Brooks said. "Use my versatility to impact the game in a whole bunch of ways, whether that's scoring or defensively. I just want to keep stacking them."
His transition from G League to the NBA has been made easier by now playing alongside several of his Squadron teammates who have also been promoted to the Pelicans because of all the injuries.
"A level of comfortability helps calm your nerves," Brooke said. "No matter what, this is a huge stage and you're playing in the best league in the world. Having some familiar faces definitely helps calm you down and put you at ease."
Brooks and the Pelicans now head on a road trip to Los Angeles to play the Clippers on Wednesday and the Lakers on Friday. He'll be on the court with some of the biggest names in basketball in Kawhi Leonard and James Harden Wednesday and LeBron James and Luka Doncic two nights later.
"I'm excited," Brooks said. "This is what you dream of as a kid, playing against some of the best players in the world."
This dream is just getting started.
"Honestly, it still hasn't hit me yet," Brooks said. "If I play good or bad, I have to practice or have another game the next day. So I haven't had time to sit down and really reminisce about it."
The best is yet to come. Just ask Alvarado, who made the assist on Brooks' game-winning play Sunday night.
"He's showing that he belongs here," Alvarado said. "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."