Post by Utah on May 16, 2007 12:10:59 GMT -5
Associate Press:
Jazz point guard Aaron Brooks has been named the ABCA rookie of the year in a landslide vote.
Brooks, drafted 17th overall, was a graduate from the University of Oregon where he played for Coach Ernie Kent. His selection was met with large speculation among league gms who thought he was drafted way too high and possibly should've been taken in the 2nd round. The Jazz saw something in Brooks and gave him the chance to shine in Utah after a stellar preseason. With the Jazz just missing the playoffs by 3 games to Houston, the team needed a bright spot and got it with Brooks. For the season he averaged 11 points and 7 assists with a solid turnover ratio of nearly 3 to 1. The team rallied around him after Jerry Stackhouse was dealt and they will need him as they head down the path of rebuilding.
Brooks made the following announcement from his home in Eugene Oregon.
"I can't begin to explain how happy I am to have won this award. With so many great players in the league this is a huge honor. I'm glad I was able to go to a team that would really let me play and shine as they have. Without a genius gm to really let me play my game I don't know where I'd be. To every team that drafted some loser before me I'd like to say thanks. Thanks because you motivated me to be the best point guard I can be. I'm still not appreciated by all and certainly not respected but when the Jazz get back to the playoffs and are competitive I'll be very happy. I hope to be here a long time."
When interviewed by the Salt Lake Tribune, Brooks was very pointed in his feelings about certain teams.
"I wanted to play in Philly. That's where I really wanted to go. I worked out there and they said they liked me. Then the reports came out and they said I couldn't shoot and needed the ball to be good and it really hurt. I thought i proved over the 4 years in school that I was a good point. I think Philly got a little scared and took Gibson. I love Gibson, we played against each other in school, but i thought I was going to philly. I was hurt and i tried to really do well against them. I had a double double one game against them and 14 points in the other. Gibson barely even saw the court. The situation is great. I love playing in Utah. I love my teammates even though most of them got traded this year. I love my gm because he's so smart and attractive for a man. "
With 4 picks in the coming draft and a whole lot of cap space, the Jazz will have some new faces next season. One thing is for sure, the point guard spot is not up for grabs.
Jazz point guard Aaron Brooks has been named the ABCA rookie of the year in a landslide vote.
Brooks, drafted 17th overall, was a graduate from the University of Oregon where he played for Coach Ernie Kent. His selection was met with large speculation among league gms who thought he was drafted way too high and possibly should've been taken in the 2nd round. The Jazz saw something in Brooks and gave him the chance to shine in Utah after a stellar preseason. With the Jazz just missing the playoffs by 3 games to Houston, the team needed a bright spot and got it with Brooks. For the season he averaged 11 points and 7 assists with a solid turnover ratio of nearly 3 to 1. The team rallied around him after Jerry Stackhouse was dealt and they will need him as they head down the path of rebuilding.
Brooks made the following announcement from his home in Eugene Oregon.
"I can't begin to explain how happy I am to have won this award. With so many great players in the league this is a huge honor. I'm glad I was able to go to a team that would really let me play and shine as they have. Without a genius gm to really let me play my game I don't know where I'd be. To every team that drafted some loser before me I'd like to say thanks. Thanks because you motivated me to be the best point guard I can be. I'm still not appreciated by all and certainly not respected but when the Jazz get back to the playoffs and are competitive I'll be very happy. I hope to be here a long time."
When interviewed by the Salt Lake Tribune, Brooks was very pointed in his feelings about certain teams.
"I wanted to play in Philly. That's where I really wanted to go. I worked out there and they said they liked me. Then the reports came out and they said I couldn't shoot and needed the ball to be good and it really hurt. I thought i proved over the 4 years in school that I was a good point. I think Philly got a little scared and took Gibson. I love Gibson, we played against each other in school, but i thought I was going to philly. I was hurt and i tried to really do well against them. I had a double double one game against them and 14 points in the other. Gibson barely even saw the court. The situation is great. I love playing in Utah. I love my teammates even though most of them got traded this year. I love my gm because he's so smart and attractive for a man. "
With 4 picks in the coming draft and a whole lot of cap space, the Jazz will have some new faces next season. One thing is for sure, the point guard spot is not up for grabs.
