Dillon Brooks was booed, blew kisses and eventually ejected from FIBA World Cup quarterfinal win
Basketball fans watched the full Dillon Brooks experience during the 2023 FIBA World Cup quarterfinal match between Canada and Slovenia.
Before the game even began, during player introductions, Brooks was met with a shower of boos from those who attended the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.
His entrance felt a lot like watching a wrestling heel about to enter the ring before a fight, which is fitting considering he once dressed exactly like the famous wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin.
The beginning of the game absolutely set the tone for what ended up as a very wild day for Brooks, who will have a chance to represent Canada in the semifinals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup against Serbia on Sept. 8.
Dillon Brooks getting booed during the introduction in Manila.
The Filipino Lakers fans remember their favorite villain.#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/DhaHxAKNMY
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (@FIBAWC) September 6, 2023
Brooks, who continued to receive boos from the crowd every single time that he touched the ball, seemed motivated by the reactions he received.
After connecting on a 3-pointer in the first quarter, Brooks blew kisses to the people in the crowd who continued to root against him.
From Dillon Brooks, with love #FIBAWC x #WinForCanada pic.twitter.com/7n0LZlmMRy
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (@FIBAWC) September 6, 2023
Later in the game, after connecting on another 3-pointer, Brooks once again blew kisses to his naysayers.
It was quite a spectacle from Brooks, who clearly wasn’t trying to gain any new fans with anything but his play on the court.
Dillon Brooks in his I-just-want-to-watch-the-world-burn mode.#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/aEsLX51jy4
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (@FIBAWC) September 6, 2023
Brooks was 5-for-7 (2-for-3 3PA) from the field and was tasked with tough defensive assignments, guarding Luka Doncic for several assignments during the game.
But he was eventually disqualified for the game due to taunting Doncic.
So Dillon Brooks was ejected for this? Weak! #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/tyPbCGBgxv
— Doc Naismith ℠ (@DocNaismith) September 6, 2023
Brooks finished with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal after 28 minutes of play during the game against Slovenia.
Overall, however, it was best described as “the full Dillon Brooks experience” from the moment the game started until the moment it ended.
Dillon Brooks is really quite a character. pic.twitter.com/XBjl9lpCHY
— alder almo (@alderalmo) September 6, 2023
Even after Canada won the game and advanced to the semifinals, meanwhile, Brooks stayed as entertaining as ever.
He put on boxing gloves and started jokingly jabbing with his coaches and his teammates. What a night from Brooks!