Prospect Profile

** Traded to New Jersey on Draft night

Strengths:

  * Big-time scorer off dribble, in transition or with jump shot
  * Good rebounder
  * Long-armed defender/sneaky shot blocker

Weaknesses:

  * Needs to get stronger
  * Will have to step up defensive intensity at the next level
 

NBA projection:
Individual workouts will determine whether Brooks is drafted in the first round or slips into the second. Regardless, he has the tools to play in the league because he knows how to score and he's long and athletic enough to defend at a high level.

2010-11 Season:
Brooks earned first-team All-Big East honors after finishing second in the nation in scoring. He was the only player in the country to average at least 24 points and seven rebounds a game. Brooks was consistent all season, scoring 20 or more points in 26-of-32 games. He scored 788 points, the fourth-highest single-season total in Providence history.

Key statistics:
24.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.5 apg, 3.0 tpg, 1.2 bpg, 36.5 mpg, .483 FG, .340 3PT, .772 FT

Cool statistic:
Brooks broke the Big East single-game scoring record when he scored 52 against Notre Dame on Feb. 23. He also set a league record with 20 field goals in that game (20-of-28).

Reminds me of:
Josh Howard

What Insiders Say:
Former Providence coach Keno Davis
"[MarShon Brooks] is a special player. He can score in so many ways."

What Outsiders Say:
Louisville coach Rick Pitino
"He's just a tremendous basketball player, someone who I think will be a very good pro. I think the pros are underestimating his ability right now. But I think he'll go up that ladder strongly after he works out for them."

Chris Dortch is the editor of the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook.