Nearly 300 kids showed up Saturday to watch Dillon Brooks set up layup drills at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa.
This wasn’t a random appearance or a half-hearted community obligation. Suns veteran Dillon Brooks rolled straight from a media availability into on-court work with kids who came because they believe in what he’s building in Phoenix, and look up to him.
One of the instructors nailed it. With Brooks involved, “it just brings more people out.” That’s what star credibility does in a market.
Kids show up. Parents pay attention. The Suns organization gets community penetration without forcing it.
READ: Suns’ Dillon Brooks says youth camp focuses on mental wellness, hoops
This matters because Brooks just signed a three-year, $73 million extension that locks him in Phoenix through 2029-30. That contract is a statement that Phoenix is investing in Brooks long-term, and this camp is a glimpse of proof that he is returning the favor.
Brooks is one of the most misunderstood players in the league, with the narrative centered on who he is on the court. As a person, you hear nothing but great things from every organization he’s been a part of.
Brooks recently returned from China, where he trained kung fu and worked with UFC fighters because, of course, he did.
This is a man committed to attacking his physical and mental ceiling. But what he emphasized at the camp tells you his real priority: mental wellness alongside basketball fundamentals. He talked directly about teaching kids early that their mental game controls everything, then connecting that to nutrition, body care, and stretch routines.
There are plenty of young Suns fans who look up to Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks in this community, so it’s always great to see players get involved and make a difference. More of this stuff as the headliners, please!
I wonder if he did his patented pre-game staredown at the camp. Will investigate more on this matter.
