Garrison Brooks Bio
Garrison O’Neal Brooks is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League. A 6 ft 9 in center listed at 230 lb, Brooks has built his career across multiple leagues since going undrafted in 2022. He is recognized for a standout college resume at the University of North Carolina, where he earned Second-team All-ACC and ACC Most Improved Player honors in 2020. Beyond the court, Brooks continues to expand his professional journey through stops in the United States, South Korea, and Europe.
Early Life and Background
Garrison O’Neal Brooks was born on June 29, 1999, in Meridian, Mississippi. He grew up in a basketball household and developed an early passion for the sport that would shape his future path. His family ties to coaching influenced his understanding of the game from a young age, providing a steady foundation for his development as a post player.
Brooks attended Auburn High School in Auburn, Alabama, where he quickly became one of the most productive big men in program history. As a freshman, he averaged 6.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. He continued to grow into a dominant interior force, posting 14.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks during his sophomore year and 16.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks as a junior. In his senior season, he averaged 14.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks.
Across four seasons at Auburn High School, Brooks finished with 1,457 career points and 1,116 career rebounds, becoming only the second player in school history to reach 1,000 in both categories. He also set the Auburn High record for career blocks with 334. His high school play earned him first-team all-state, all-region, and all-area honors.
Path to Professional Basketball
Brooks committed to the University of North Carolina, where he was recruited by head coach Roy Williams and assistant Hubert Davis. He spent his first three seasons with the North Carolina Tar Heels, steadily improving each year as he adjusted to the physical demands of Atlantic Coast Conference play. His junior breakout positioned him among the top big men in the conference and drew national attention.
After a senior year in which he was named to the preseason watch lists for the John R. Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, and Karl Malone Award, Brooks elected to transfer to Mississippi State for his final season of eligibility. The move allowed him to play for a program with a direct family connection, as his father was on the coaching staff there. He finished his college career with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, completing a five-year path across two of the strongest programs in the Southeastern and Atlantic Coast Conferences.
Garrison Brooks Career
Early Career at North Carolina (2017–2021)
Brooks arrived at North Carolina as a developmental frontcourt prospect and spent his freshman season adjusting to a reserve role, averaging 4.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. His sophomore year brought a clear step forward, as he posted 7.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while expanding his shooting range. He worked extensively on his midrange jumper during that offseason, a grind that was so intense he developed a wrist injury.
As a junior, Brooks emerged as one of the most improved players in the country, averaging 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. His performance earned him Second-team All-ACC recognition and the ACC Most Improved Player award for the 2019–20 season. During his senior campaign, he averaged 10.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game and entered the year as the preseason ACC Player of the Year, according to the conference media.
Mississippi State and Draft (2021–2022)
Brooks transferred to Mississippi State for his final season of college eligibility, joining a Bulldogs program with a familiar coaching presence. Although detailed statistics from that season are not fully verified in available sources, the transfer was widely viewed as a chance to reset and showcase his skills for professional scouts. He entered the 2022 NBA draft following the season and went undrafted, beginning his professional path as an unsigned free agent.
Westchester Knicks (2022–2023)
On October 23, 2022, Brooks joined the Westchester Knicks training camp roster, marking his first professional opportunity in the NBA G League. The Westchester Knicks serve as the affiliate of the New York Knicks, giving Brooks a platform to develop within an NBA ecosystem. His time in Westchester helped him adjust to the pace and physicality of professional basketball.
Wonju DB Promy (2023)
On July 27, 2023, Brooks signed with Wonju DB Promy of the Korean Basketball League, becoming one of the first Americans to join the franchise for the season. He made his league debut on October 22, 2023, but suffered a knee injury early in the game, finishing with 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in only 4 minutes of action. On November 3, 2023, he was replaced on the roster by veteran center Jeff Withey, ending his brief KBL stint.
Wolves Twinsbet (2023–2025)
On December 3, 2023, Brooks signed with BC Wolves, also known as Wolves Twinsbet, of the Lithuanian Basketball League, where he competed in both the LKL and the EuroCup. The European move allowed him to play high-level international basketball while continuing to develop his all-around game. On July 31, 2024, he returned to the BC Wolves for the 2024–25 season, signaling stability after several short stints.
Birmingham Squadron (2025–Present)
In 2025, Brooks joined the Birmingham Squadron, the NBA G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans. The move returned him to the United States and to an NBA pipeline, where he continues to work on his game. His current role with the Squadron reflects both his experience and his ongoing pursuit of an NBA call-up.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brooks is a traditional center at 6 ft 9 in and 230 lb, with the frame to compete on the interior and the skill set to step away from the basket. His college development focused on a reliable midrange jumper, an area of his game he worked to expand each offseason. He pairs that offensive touch with strong rebounding instincts and shot-blocking timing developed during his high school and college years.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Brooks’s signature accomplishments is his 2020 selection to the Second-team All-ACC, which came in the same season he was named ACC Most Improved Player. He also set Auburn High School’s all-time blocks record with 334, joining an elite group in program history. Going undrafted in 2022 did not stop his progression, as he has since built a professional resume spanning the G League, the Korean Basketball League, the Lithuanian Basketball League, and the EuroCup.
Garrison Brooks Career Wins
Garrison O’Neal Brooks’s career has been defined more by development and longevity than by championship hardware. His most prominent individual honors remain his 2020 Second-team All-ACC and ACC Most Improved Player recognitions. As a professional, he has built experience across multiple leagues and continued to add to his international resume with each new contract.
College Highlights
Broks posted his most productive college season as a junior at North Carolina in 2019–20, averaging 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. That year marked the peak of his college trajectory and earned him his two major Atlantic Coast Conference awards. His senior year at North Carolina and his transfer year at Mississippi State rounded out a five-season college career across two major conferences.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his college honors, Brooks’s professional journey through the Westchester Knicks, Wonju DB Promy, BC Wolves, and Birmingham Squadron has served as his primary stage. International stints in South Korea and Lithuania exposed him to varied styles of play and expanded his professional portfolio.
Garrison Brooks Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Basketball runs deep in Brooks’s family, as his father has served as a coach at the collegiate level. That coaching presence helped shape his early understanding of the game and influenced his decision to transfer to Mississippi State for his final college season. Growing up in a basketball-focused household gave Brooks a clear view of what a professional career could look like.
Personal Life
Brooks was born in Meridian, Mississippi, and later moved to Auburn, Alabama, where he attended Auburn High School. Public details about his current residence and personal relationships are not widely confirmed in available sources. He continues to focus on his professional basketball career with the Birmingham Squadron.
2025 Season Performance
Garrison O’Neal Brooks entered the 2025 season with the Birmingham Squadron after returning to the NBA G League following his time in Europe. The move to the Squadron, the New Orleans Pelicans affiliate, gives him a clearer path to NBA exposure than his previous overseas stops. His prior experience in the G League with the Westchester Knicks should help him adjust quickly to the league’s style of play.
Through his years with the BC Wolves, Brooks added EuroCup and Lithuanian Basketball League experience that broadened his game. That international seasoning, combined with his college résumé at North Carolina and Mississippi State, makes him a veteran presence on the Squadron roster. Scouts will be watching how his midrange game and rebounding translate in a G League setting.
Looking ahead, Brooks’s primary goal for 2025 is to position himself for an NBA call-up while contributing to the Squadron’s success. His combination of size, college pedigree, and professional experience across three countries gives him a strong foundation. Continued development in efficiency and conditioning will be key to his long-term trajectory in professional basketball.