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Oregon Basketball: Dillon Brooks declares for the draft, forgoes senior season

By Lukas Harkins

Feb 25, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) during the first half of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. The Oregon Ducks defeated the Stanford Cardinal with a score of 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) during the first half of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. The Oregon Ducks defeated the Stanford Cardinal with a score of 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dillon Brooks has been a special player for Oregon basketball over the past few seasons, and he is ready to take that next step by declaring for the draft.

On Wednesday, April 12th, Dillon Brooks announced via Positionless that he would be entering the NBA Draft. After making the Elite Eight in his sophomore season and then the Final Four just a few weeks ago, the timing seems to be right for his draft stock. According to multiple sites, he is projected to go in the second round, with the following positions:

DraftExpress: 40th

Bleacher Report (Paul Kasabian): 30th

NBADraft.net: 55th

On DraftExpress, Julian Applebome talks about his potential fit with an NBA club next season:

"“While Brooks has been a dynamic offensive option throughout the season and has hit big time shots in clutch situations, there are still questions surrounding his transition to the NBA game. At 6’7”, he has just decent size for a combo forward type, and lacks the plus length or outstanding athletic ability to make up for it. He is a powerful athlete when he has space and momentum to load up, but can be somewhat heavy footed in a crowd or laterally.”"

Following his run to the Final Four, it is hard to imagine that scouts will get a better look at him with another year in college. For the exact words of his announcement, Brooks released this video (also via Positionless):

Even without Brooks or Tyler Dorsey (who also declared), Oregon should be in solid shape for next season. Losing both is certainly a huge hit, but Jordan Bell’s decision still remains up in the air. With one of the top recruiting classes in the country coming into to join Payton Pritchard, the Ducks will have plenty on next year’s squad.

They will not be as experienced as they were this past season, but, if they can generate team chemistry and toughness early in the year, there should be no reason that the Ducks cannot once again compete as one of the top teams in the country.

Next: Is LaVar Ball a distraction?

On the whole, it will be interesting to see when we hear Brooks announced on Draft Night, and even though it is a big blow to Oregon, the program still looks to be in very good shape.

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