We welcome Mr. Brooks, his teammates, Coach Calipari, and his staff to meet with us to educate him and others further about why Rupp's name should be removed from the arena. Brooks is a 5-star prospect and is currently ranked the #23 recruit and the #6 small forward of the 2019 class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. Mr. Brooks has made this stand knowing full well the vitriol he will face from a segment of University of Kentucky sports fans. Brooks. ", Brooks said the police shootings have made him fearful of how he would be treated in similar encounters, especially if he didn't play basketball for Kentucky. Brooks, Jr. spoke highly of both programs and they have long been believed to be the top contenders other than IU. Public Default . Kentucky sophomore forward Keion Brooks Jr. is officially back. Thursday evening, Brooks "He courageously supported our call to change the name of Rupp Arena. But that's not going to work. Rupp, who won four national titles at Kentucky, famously fielded an all-white starting five in a loss to a Texas Western team with an all-Black starting five in the 1966 national title game. “The biggest play of the game, I went at Keion,” Calipari said at the time. Keion Brooks Jr. Our team doctors have medically cleared me to play. Keion Brooks Jr… “Prayers were answered!!! But I see another guy that quit on UK. Keion has been conditioning with us and doing non-contact drills, but he is fully cleared now. They just want us to go out there, entertain them for an hour or two and shut up. News 02/15/2019 8:33 am 2019 Indiana basketball recruiting board: mid … We all must do our part to demand justice and change, and that starts with continuing important discussions with our teams about impacting our own communities. pic.twitter.com/UFaR07a0fH, — Keion Brooks Jr. (@KeionB_12) January 7, 2021. Photo by Chet White | UK Athletics. “I’M BACK,” Brooks Jr. announced. ", In June, the group of Black faculty members at Kentucky listed their request about Rupp Arena's name as part of a comprehensive set of action items submitted to the university's leadership. Five-star forward Keion Brooks Jr. is Indiana’s top remaining recruiting target in the class of 2019. Kentucky basketball forward Keion Brooks Jr. said he backs a push by Black faculty members in the school's African American and Africana Studies department to change the name of Rupp Arena. Like us … Davion Mintz draws a double team, but bounces a pass to Keion Brooks Jr., who finishes with a dunk. Thursday evening, Brooks posted a brief message on Twitter, and it … — Keion Brooks Jr. (@KeionB_12) March 4, 2019 In may be indicative of nothing, but about a week ago he endorsed Center Grove’s Trayce Jackson-Davis, an IU commit, for IndyStar Mr. Basketball. Five star forward Keion Brooks Jr. warms up before La Lumiere’s game against Center Grove on Saturday December 8. Keion Brooks Jr., chipped in 15, while Olivier Sarr and Davion Mintz added 13 and 11 points, ... recruiting, and more delivered straight to your inbox. Why would you have him make the game-winning play?” Because he was playing good, he was the one that had something going.”, “Growing up hooping, I’m pretty sure that’s what everybody is dreaming of,” Brooks said of Calipari’s trust in him. He said he's still gathering more information about Rupp but stated that he supports a name change. In that span, the 6-foot-7 forward scored 138 total points, had 99 rebounds, totaled 13 blocks, posted 11 steals and had six assists. InTheGymHoops 43,024 views 13:13 Best of Sound FX - … Keion. "Keion has worked on shooting the ball from different spots on the. Mr. Brooks is already a leader on these issues as a member of the [SEC Council on Racial Equality and Social Justice]. Just my opinion. “Close game down the stretch, you want the ball in your hands. Keion Brooks Jr. led the way with 25 points and 8 rebounds. On Keion Brooks, Jr., returning, Cal again said it may be two or three weeks into the future. Originally suffering a calf injury back in early October – one that was initially deemed “nothing major” – John Calipari announced later in the month Brooks would be out “a couple more weeks.” Small forward. Keion Brooks Jr. (12) Forward - Follow @KeionB_12 on Twitter | Follow @klbj.xii on Instagram HIGH SCHOOL Ranked in the top 35 by the major recruiting services, floor from all kind of different angles," the player's father said. The group recently requested the change, saying Adolph Rupp's legacy is tied to a history of racism and discrimination. Freshman guard Brandon Boston Jr. poured in a team-high 18 points, to go along with six boards, three assists, one block, and a steal. Edit. Fort Wayne North forward Keion Brooks Jr. was one of three five-star recruits on campus for Indiana’s Hoosier Hysteria on Saturday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Keion Brooks to Return to Kentucky, Forgo 2020 NBA Draft. On Thursday, members of Kentucky's football team walked out of practice to protest racial and social injustice, a day after NBA players boycotted games. Put us in that camp. ?? 24 overall player in the class of 2019, per 247Sports' composite rankings. Keion Brooks - 5 Star Small forward for Kentucky on CatsIllustrated. Brooks Jr. is considering Indiana as one of his top schools (Kurt Spitler/HN) Just over a week after five-star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis committed to … All Keion cares about is trying to help this team win. In his first game of the season, Keion Brooks Jr. scored 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting and Kentucky more closely resembled its No. “Keion was officially cleared by the doctors today,” UK head coach John Calipari said in a statement. The latest stats, facts, news and notes on Keion Brooks Jr. of the Kentucky Wildcats After wrapping up a top-five recruiting class for Indiana last year, Indiana’s staff immediately focused all attention on a couple of names familiar to those that follow recruiting and those that follow the state: Trayce Jackson-Davis from Center Grove HS and Keion Brooks Jr. who originally played at Fort Wayne North Side but decided to transfer to La Lumiere in La Porte, IN. Now, the player Calipari trusted most to close out the 2019-20 season is officially back in the rotation for the Wildcats. Brooks said Kentucky's basketball team has had conversations about making a statement, too. It's set apart from all other places. Earlier this year, athletic director Mitch Barnhart said the arena's name should remain. Rupp, a polarizing figure in life and death, has been accused of making racist statements and failing to integrate his program by recruiting Black players until the end of his tenure. College Basketball Power Rankings: Florida State, Alabama on the rise, Kentucky faculty want Rupp Arena name change, Calipari: White privilege has helped my career, Kentucky's football team walked out of practice, Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato. That's also an attribute Calipari and his. Fort Wayne, IN. That left sophomore forward Keion Brooks Jr. as the lone returning player from last year’s rotation; he started six of 31 games. We have strong views on topics just like the fans do. Brooks, a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches Player Development Coalition, averaged 4.5 PPG last season. Kentucky basketball forward Keion Brooks Jr. said he backs a push by Black faculty members in the school's African American and Africana Studies department to … Keion Brooks Jr. is the final piece to Indiana basketball’s recruiting puzzle. The NABC group he's tied to intends to empower college athletes and elevate their collective voice surrounding critical issues. Five-star prospect Keion Brooks Jr. (Kurt Spitler/HN) At the end of the day though, this was a showcase of premier talent more than anything. Some breaking news released this morning regarding Keion Brooks: After getting hurt, then fully participating in UK's "pro day", then participating in all drills, and ; ... Indiana Basketball Recruiting Forum (2019) SF Keion Brooks Jr. to Kentucky Theme . Brooks reportedly had offers from 21 programs before … Keion Brooks Jr.’s first experience with the need to remain humble in the face of basketball praise came when he was a fifth grader. Kentucky basketball forward Keion Brooks Jr. said he backs a push by Black faculty members in the school's African American and Africana Studies department to change the name of Rupp Arena. More importantly, Calipari ran several key plays for Brooks down the stretch, including the team’s game-winning shot attempt in the final seconds. Small forward. Brooks’ recruitment promises to be as fascinating as his game. That player, sophomore forward Keion Brooks Jr., is currently nursing a leg injury, according to UK head coach John Calipari. Brooks appeared in all 31 games for the Wildcats during his freshman campaign in 2019-20, including six starts. January 4, 2019 Mike Schumann IUBB, Recruiting 3. Keion Brooks Jr. (12) Forward - 2020-21 NABC Player Development Coalition 2020-21 SEC Council on Racial Equality and Social Justice 2020-21 Student-Athlete "When you're recruiting, when you're having teams come in here to play and people come in here, this is Rupp Arena. The longtime IU target instead will join another star-studded UK recruiting class. Romeo Langford Drops 42 vs 2019 ESPN #21 Keion Brooks & FT Wayne North Squad | IS IU IN THEIR PLANS? University of Kentucky Basketball, Football, and Recruiting news brought to you in the most ridiculous manner possible. LEXINGTON, Ky. (WYMT) - University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball sophomore forward Keion Brooks Jr. has been medically cleared to return to the court, according to a Thursday night release from UK Athletics. Kentucky’s Keion Brooks Jr. catches a lob during the Wildcats’ contest vs. Georgia on Jan. 21. The game will be televised live on ESPN2, and the Oak Hill roster features five-star guard Cole Anthony, one of the top five prospects in the 2019 class. Keion Brooks, Jr. to Announce College Decision on March 15 March 3, 2019 Mike Schumann 4 Beware the Ides of Keion? Jackson-Davis finished with 18 points, while Brooks put up 22 points in front of a multitude of high profile college coaches, including Archie Miller. "Some people agree, some people are not going to agree," he said during a Zoom call on Wednesday to announce the hiring of former Indiana assistant Bruiser Flint. The Fort Wayne North Side star, who led his to team to its first state finals appearance in 52 years this season, is … Grateful to be back on the floor with my brothers. The House of Blue Wildcat Lair - Football Forum The Depot - FB Recruiting Rupp Rafters The Radar - BB Recruiting The Main Board New posts Search forums What's new New posts Latest activity In those seven games, Keion Brooks, Jr. is averaging: 2.6 points-per-game 3.8 rebounds-per-game Not exactly the type of one-and-done, showcase statistics I'm imagining he and his father wanted to … Kentucky enters the 2020-21 college basketball season with only one player who saw action for the Wildcats last season. UK basketball commitment Keion Brooks will be back on national TV on Friday, when his undefeated La Lumiere (Ind.) “Pretty amazing stuff when you think about this is someone who came back as the leader of our team and the only guy who played minutes with us a season ago. Our team doctors have medically cleared me to play.”. "I think people have a difficult time separating the athlete from the sport that they play," Brooks said. Now he is! Perhaps class of 2019 five-star Keion Brooks, Jr. has, for all practical intents and purposes, made his decision. - Duration: 13:13. While he scored a season-high 15 points against Fairleigh Dickinson midway through the season, his biggest performance as a freshman came in the regular season finale in Gainesville last March, where the 6-foot-7 forward finished with 10 points on 4-5 shooting and 2-2 from three to go with three rebounds and two steals in the win. Finally, we encourage Mr. Brooks, student-athletes, and students interested in these issues to consider enrolling in our Race and Sports class in Spring 2021.". The game-winner rolled out – and was tipped in by EJ Montgomery for the win – but Calipari said he had the most confidence in the Fort Wayne, IN native to put the Wildcats on top. The longtime IU target instead will join another star-studded UK recruiting class. "From what I do know, I would like to see a name change just basically because of what his name is and what that's connected to and what that kind of represents. The more Keion Brooks Jr.’s timeline for return is shifted, the more questions regarding his status have popped up, specifically wondering whether there’s more to the story or not. Five-star forward Keion Brooks Jr. is Indiana’s top remaining recruiting target in the class of 2019. Someone had to learn a lesson. The competition for Brooks is intense. The freshman will be returning for his sophomore season with Kentucky next season. Keion Brooks Jr Officially Signs with Kentucky Keion Brooks Jr is officially a Kentucky Wildcat, his father confirmed to 247 Sports Thursday. "The shooting of Jacob Blake is yet another example of the police brutality and systemic racism that our country has tolerated for far too long. Today, Keion Brooks Jr. announced his commitment to Kentucky. "The NABC stands in solidarity with today's actions from NBA, WNBA and MLB players," the group said in a statement this week after multiple leagues followed the NBA's lead and postponed games. In an exclusive statement to ESPN on Friday, the same group of Black faculty members commended Brooks and called him a key leader. I met with him today and it was a little bit emotional. Keion Brooks Jr.’s first experience with the need to remain humble in the face of basketball praise came when he was a fifth grader. "I don't understand the concept of shooting somebody in the back seven times and their back is towards you.". 10 … The Kentucky Wildcats struggled mightily Sunday in … Kentucky freshman Keion Brooks Jr. will return to Kentucky for his sophomore year, his father Keion Brooks Sr. told CatsPause.com Monday. CLASS OF 2019. staff like. Kentucky's Keion Brooks Jr. (12) shoots between Louisville's Dwayne Sutton (24) and Steven Enoch during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019. I would like to see a name change. Brooks arrived at Kentucky as a 5-star prospect and the No. He said he feels like "we're being hunted. We have all been patient with this but obviously we all wanted Keion out there with us, no one more so than him. Coach was in the huddle, he said I’ve been playing my butt off the past few minutes, I was getting good shots and good looks, so he said he was going to come to me.”. Brooks appeared in all 31 games for the Wildcats during his freshman campaign in 2019-20, including six starts. This one's been this way for almost 50 years, and it can't change.". Kentucky fans have been closely tracking the status of sophomore forward Keion Brooks Jr., who has not played in the 2020-21 season while recovering from a calf injury he suffered in the fall. The NCAA tournament isn't expanding in 2021, but what if it did? Keion Brooks will not play another game for the University of Kentucky. Many had expected that a decision would have been reached by now. Archie Miller has stayed true to his promise of recruiting the state hard and Brooks has been a top priority for a long time. That's not how this is. He wouldn't reveal the details of those plans, but he emphasized that Black athletes will refuse to remain silent in this critical moment. Devin Askew, Kentucky men's basketball guard, responds to a question on how important Keion Brooks' leadership is for the team. After sitting out UK’s first nine games of the season with an injured calf, Brooks announced this evening that he has been cleared by team doctors, meaning he will make his sophomore debut when the team heads to Florida on Saturday. Kentucky fans have been closely tracking the status of sophomore forward Keion Brooks Jr., who has not played in the 2020-21 season while recovering from a calf injury he suffered in the fall. La Lumiere School. The group recently requested the change, saying Adolph Rupp's legacy is tied to a history of racism and discrimination. "Just because I go and play basketball ... that does not mean I don't have morals and values and opinions and views on certain things. When Keion Brooks Jr. was 9 or 10 years old, his father would put him in front of a mirror. 2020 point gu... La Lumiere (IN) stayed perfect knocking off DeMatha (MD) 73-50 at Hoophall Classic. Per the letter, Rupp's name has "come to stand for racism and exclusion in [Kentucky] athletics and alienates Black students, fans, and attendees.". 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