12 Days of Scott Brooks

By UC Irvine Athletics

November 18, 2019

The countdown to our retirement of Scott Brooks' #12 jersey has begun. UC Irvine Athletics will run down 12 days of Scott Brooks milestones, accomplishments, and fun facts

Day 1

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As a senior in 1986-1987, Brooks led the West Coast in scoring with an average of 23.8 points per game and was second in the nation in three-pointers averaging 4 a game.

Day 2

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On the opening night of the Bren Events Center - January 8, 1987 - in front of a sellout crowd, Brooks scored 43 points in a win over Utah State, 118-96

San Antonio Spurs v Oklahoma City Thunder - Game Six

Day 3

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At the conclusion of this collegiate career, Brooks played 10 seasons (1988-1998) in the NBA, appearing as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Day 4

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As a junior at UCI, Brooks and the Anteaters, who were under the direction of head coach Bill Mulligan, defeated perennial national power UNLV twice in 12 days, plus knocked off UCLA, 80-74, in the first round of the 1986 NIT at Pauley Pavilion.

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Day 5

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Brooks' teams advanced to the postseason six of his 10 NBA seasons, and in 1994, he was a member of the NBA Champion Houston Rockets. In his 10 NBA seasons, Brooks shot 45 percent from the floor and 37.2 from beyond the arc. He holds career averages of 4.9 points and 2.4 assists.

Day 6

Brooks returns each fall to host the Scott Brooks Golf Tournament. Brooks joins approximately 100 student-athletes who participate in the tournament every year with all proceeds going to UCI scholarships.

Day 7

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Brooks was inducted into UCI's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 and was honored most recently as the Outstanding Alumni Athlete at the Lauds & Laurels Award Ceremony in 2017.

Day 8

Brooks is currently in his fourth year as head coach of the Washington Wizards. His first year with the Wizards was capped by a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Brooks previously served as the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2009-15. He led the Thunder to the playoffs in each of his first five full seasons with the team.

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Day 9

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Scott Brooks was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2010 and served as the Western Conference All-Star Coach in 2012 & 2014.

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Day 10

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Brooks, then a 23-year-old trying to make it in the NBA, was encouraged not to invest in a house right away by fellow teammate Charles Barkley who offered him room to Brooks in his house. The roommates became good friends as Barkley dubbed Brooks 'Wonderdog" for being a loveable, hard-working underdog.

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Day 11

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Scott Brooks' jersey is just the second to be retired in the history of UCI men's basketball! We are grateful for outstanding alums who make a difference during and beyond their time as UC Irvine student-athletes.

Day 12

Scott Brooks wore No. 12 because it was his Mother's favorite number!