Garrison Brooks will return to UNC for his senior season
North Carolina junior Garrison Brooks will not enter his name in the 2020 NBA draft, and will instead return to UNC for his senior season, according his mother and step-father.
His mother, Tammala Colquitt, said she’s looking forward to seeing her son graduate next year.
Brooks considered entering his name in the draft with the option of returning. Players are allowed to keep their college eligibility after entering their names, as long as they do not hire an agent, and they withdraw their names 10 days after the three-day NBA draft combine, which is scheduled to conclude on May 24. Some players, like Luke Maye two years ago, do it to get feedback from NBA scouts.
But Brooks has decided not to.
Brooks, a 6-9, 236-pound forward, had the best season of his career statistically last year.
He was voted second-team All-ACC and the most improved player in the conference, after averaging 16.8 points per game, 8.5 rebounds, while shooting 53.5 percent from the floor. He played in all but one game, and was the Tar Heels’ most consistent player.
But after dealing with injuries to key players throughout the season, the Tar Heels struggled, finishing 14-19.
They lost in the second round of the ACC tournament to Syracuse before the rest of tournament was canceled due to the threat of the coronavirus, which has put a halt to all sports across the country. It was the Tar Heels’ first losing season since the 2001-02 season, before Roy Williams became head coach.
Brooks carried the Tar Heels offensively in a few of their games, especially during freshman Cole Anthony’s 11-game absence, and when senior guard Brandon Robinson missed a few games with various injuries.
He scored 25 points or more seven times this season, including a season-high 35 points against Georgia Tech in January. He averaged 27.5 points and 10 rebounds in two wins over N.C. State.
Next season, Brooks is expected to have more help in the front court, with freshman forward Armando Bacot returning, and the addition of two five-star and McDonald’s All-American big men Day’Ron Sharpe and Walker Kessler.
UNC’s incoming recruiting class is ranked third in the nation.
Junior forward Sterling Manley, who did not play last season after having surgery on his knee, could also return. Cole Anthony still has not announced whether he will enter the NBA draft, although, it is likely he will. He is a projected lottery pick.
Anthony tweeted last week that he was holding off on announcing his decision.
