Cassius Brooks

INTRODUCTION

Cassius Brooks began his collegiate career at Kirkwood CC, where he developed into a confident scorer before transferring to Arkansas Tech at the NCAA Division-II level. Over two seasons, he became a full-time starter and a consistent offensive presence, earning MVP honors at the 2024 GAC Tournament and a spot on the All-GAC Second Team the following year. For his senior season, Brooks transferred to the UTEP Miners, making the jump to Division-I as an experienced guard with a proven scoring background and a steady progression through multiple levels of college basketball.

PHYSICAL

Cassius Brooks has a compact guard frame built on solid lower-body strength, which allows him to handle contact and stay balanced when attacking the rim. His lateral quickness is above average for his size, helping him navigate ball screens and maintain defensive pressure. He runs the floor well and possesses good burst in transition to initiate early offense. While his frame is sturdy, he lacks elite length and vertical reach, making him vulnerable against taller or longer guards. He will need to rely on positioning, anticipation, and consistent motor to offset these limitations. Overall, his athleticism is functional and effective for his role.

OFFENSIVE PHASE

Cassius Brooks established himself as a reliable scorer during his time at Arkansas Tech, particularly as a slasher and pull-up threat. He thrives off live-dribble actions, attacking closeouts and using change-of-direction speed to reach the rim. His ability to draw fouls is a strength, averaging 6.7 free-throw attempts per game while converting at an efficient 80.4%. He operates effectively in pick-and-roll situations, using the screen to create space or collapse defenses, though his three-point shooting remains inconsistent: dropping from 38.8% on 3.4 attempts to 25.6% on 5.7 attempts in his final D-II season. His decision-making is sound when driving, but he projects more as a scoring guard than a playmaker, evidenced by his 1.9 assists per game and a +0.7 assist-to-turnover ratio. Overall, he’s a rhythm-based scorer who can pressure the rim but must prove he can stretch the floor and facilitate at a higher level.

DEFENSIVE PHASE

Cassius Brooks brings energy and activity on the defensive end. His mobility and quick hands allow him to apply pressure on the ball and disrupt passing lanes, ranking among the GAC’s Top-10 in steals per game in last season. He stays active on the perimeter, using anticipation and positioning to contain opposing guards, and shows commitment on the glass with 4.1 rebounds per game. His lateral movement is solid, keeping him competitive in one-on-one situations. However, his limited wingspan and size can be exposed when switched onto bigger opponents or forced to defend deep in the paint. Maintaining consistent effort through multiple defensive actions will be key to sustaining his impact at the higher level.

IMPROVED AREAS

Cassius Brooks must refine his offensive consistency and adaptability. Developing a more reliable perimeter jumper will make him a legitimate three-level scorer and open up driving lanes for his slashing game. Improving his passing reads and playmaking decisions under pressure will elevate him from a pure scorer to a more complete backcourt contributor. On defense, continuing to improve discipline and defensive focus against larger, more athletic competition will be essential. With these adjustments, Brooks has the tools to become an efficient two-way contributor capable of impacting the game with energy and aggression on both ends.