‘I Know I Belong Here’: Q&A with Former UNC Basketball Forward Garrison Brooks

RALEIGH, N.C.— Earlier this week, I caught up with former UNC Forward Garrison Brooks. We talked about his upcoming NBA opportunity, UNC basketball and the Carolina Family, Caleb Love’s UNC legacy, life overseas and more.

NBA Summer League ⏩️ NBA Training Camp

Jasmyn Fritz: Earlier this summer you played in the NBA Summer League with the Detroit Pistons. What was that experience like? And what are you taking away from it?

Garrison Brooks: It was a good experience. Detroit treats their players well, treats players with a lot of respect. I played well, so I have no complaints about it. It was just more of the thing, like, being professional. I played well. I earned the deal I wanted from that game. And pretty much the summer league, I got a chance to play with it.

JF: You earned the deal you wanted?

GB: Yes. I’m signing a training camp deal with the Pelicans. I’m headed to New Orleans [on] Sunday, actually.

JF: How do you feel about that? That’s what you wanted out of it.

GB: I’m excited. I mean, I wanted an NBA opportunity because I’ve been overseas the past two years. I just wanted another chance to actually go to training camp and earn a spot in the NBA. Because even then, with that one game and staying ready and just showing how professional I was, I got 10 offers from overseas, everywhere across the world from Australia to Turkey to Italy, Israel. I had something in China and Japan. Me and my agent Darrell [Darrell Comer], we did our job. And we got what we wanted out of this, I believe. That’s all you can ask for.

JF: In terms of the work that you put in, in the offseason, what are the things that you’re bringing to New Orleans? That you really honed in on and focused on?

GB: Being able to shoot threes is obviously a part of the game. I feel like I’ve added that over the past year. I shot it well this year, so I think that’s something I can add. Obviously, rebounding, playing hard, being a professional. But, that’s the role of the end of the bench guys. I’m not going to be Herb Jones or Trey Murphy or Zion [Williamson]. That’s just not realistic. Be a guy that’s on the end of the bench, super professional. You know, come in every day and do the right thing. Don’t mess up. You can’t really mess up on certain stuff. It’s like, make one mistake, all right, we’ll find another guy to do it. The difference in the end of the bench guys and someone in Europe is— it’s not as big a gap as you think. Your opportunity is super small. So, that’s why I took this one. Hopefully I’m— I’m going to maximize it.

JF: Speak it.

GB: See how I fixed that? (laughs) I’m going to maximize it just being who I am, professional, ready to work, just do whatever they ask. It’s not too crazy of a thing. I’m not a point guard. I don’t have to get out there and run an offense. So the job is kind of simple.

JF: You played at one of the largest basketball programs in college. So, maybe that stuff doesn’t affect you. But, do you feel any pressure?

“Like yeah, I should be here. I know I belong here. So, I’m not nervous.”

JF: I wasn’t sure. Maybe that overseas grind in some way evolves your character on the court.

GB: No. Maybe a little bit. You know, [whether] you hang around the right or wrong people, it can rub off on you. I would say that the work ethic stuff that, two of my teammates— Andrew Andrews and Jeffrey Taylor, their work ethic and how they present themselves and how they vocalize what’s going on in the game. How they do it rubbed off on me. Playing hard and wanting to guard, I got that from them. When I get what I deserve this year, kudos to them for helping me, helping bring me along the way, helping me understand the game in Europe, what needs to be done, and being a professional.

JF: Kind of like a mentor in a way.

GB: 1000% percent.

🤝 The Carolina Family

JF: Do you have any mentors within the Carolina Family?

GB: Yeah. I got Shammond Williams. I should probably reach out to him the next few days and tell him what I’m doing, too. I’m glad you brought that up. James Michael [McAdoo]. I would say those two guys definitely.

JF: And you just create those relationships—

GB: You create those at Carolina just by asking advice. I mean, that’s one of the main things I do with all the guys. I ask them a million questions. So, I’ve asked a million questions to Deon Thompson, Marcus Ginyard. Those two guys I just named, I’ve asked them a million things from what do I bring, how do I do this during practice or X, Y, Z, how would you [deal] with making money overseas and how do you deal with your family. Now, anybody younger than me asks me, I’ll give them the same game that those guys have given me. It’s difficult when you first start [playing professionally]. When you first start to get money overseas, it’s just like, what do I do with it? Money easily leaves if you don’t know what you’re doing. Luckily, I have the right set of mentors…that help me out and they have helped shape my mind.

JF: What’s your relationship with Roy [Williams] on a regular basis? Like, how often are you able to connect with him? I don’t know if you run anything by him from his perspective.

“He didn’t fake the funk with anything he ever said to me. He was always honest and he always cared.”

GB: Yeah, the one perspective he did give me, he said, ‘Garrison, play as long as you can. Like, finding a job afterwards is so hard.’ I was like, damn, you know what? I’m going to play until the wheels fall off. We were just catching up about some of everything, from my mom, how my family’s doing. He asked if my mom still makes cakes? The answer was obviously yes.

JF: How does that make you feel to know that he’s still [involved with] you as a person, your family?

GB: He never faked it. He didn’t fake the funk with anything he ever said to me. He was always honest and he always cared. He’s just, like, you love him to death. That’s why when he sees us, he hugs us now. Treats us as if we’re his own. He’s never lied to us. So, you have a different appreciation for it when you hear something like that.

JF: Side note. Your mom’s cakes.

GB: Yeah, my mom makes poundcake and red velvet. She would always send one to the office. Steve Robinson loves them. I’m actually going to tell her to send Coach Rob one soon. Because I know he recently retired.

JF: In the [NBA] summer league, there were 9-10-11 UNC guys playing. The North Carolina basketball program posted a graphic on social media—

GB: Hell yeah, they should have posted Caleb.

JF: Okay, that’s where I’m going with that. I saw Armando’s [Bacot] comment say ‘delete this, put c love.’ You commented ‘y’all heard the man.’ And I thought it was interesting because during Arizona’s postseason run in the [NCAA] tournament, the head coach and at least one player spent time in their presser almost defending a notion about Caleb. They were just saying how positive an addition to the team he was, great teammate, all of these things. And my understanding from the fan base is that they love Caleb…he’s the one who sent K [Coach K] and Duke home. So, I’m confused as to when I look on social, he was excluded, though, maybe it’s because he transferred out of the program before graduating.

GB: I have no idea why he wasn’t included. I look at it like this, it’s just Instagram. I saw Caleb and his dad. Me and B-Rob [Brandon Robinson] saw Caleb and his dad [in Vegas for the NBA Summer League]. We hugged him like he had never left. We hugged him as if he graduated with us…I don’t look too much into social media, but they could have posted him. And my thing is not to gas him up—Caleb did hit one of the most prominent shots in UNC history, so why wouldn’t you want to include him?

JF: In terms of his legacy, you’ve seen nothing tarnished there? He’s still very much a part of Carolina Family in your eyes?

GB: He’s a part of Carolina history forever. I don’t care how you shake it. Now, granted, he’s in the Arizona Ring of Honor, which is terrific. He definitely 1000% deserves that. But, actually, he’s probably one game away. So, Caleb is one game away from having his jersey in the rafters at UNC…He should have been included.

JF: You got a chance to see some of your guys. How was that?

GB: It’s always good to see people because you don’t get—I hadn’t got a chance to see them throughout the year, other than on the TV or FaceTime. So, it was cool to see them.

JF: And you played against Harrison [Ingram].

GB: I did. I played against Harrison the last game. I hosted Harrison on his visit here, I think so, it’s always good to see him, man. He’s a pretty funny dude. I wish he would have came to UNC initially. It would have been dope.

JF: How much of UNC basketball do you regularly keep up with?

GB: I always stay up every game. And, like, obviously, we have a group message amongst players.

JF: Do you reach out? You know, as your role in the Carolina Family, you’re staying in tune with the program. Do you reach out to some of the guys?

GB: One of my favorite players ever. Granted, J. Wash [Jalen Washington] had a smaller role. But, J. Wash is one of my favorite guys ever…I have no idea why. But it’s just, like, me and him just connected when he first got here. J. Wash still one of my favorite guys. He’s going to be down south at Vandy [Vanderbilt University]. J. Wash also graduated early, so I’m super proud of him for that. That’s the one person I actually talk to a lot. ‘Mind you, I wasn’t anywhere near Carolina when he was visiting. But, that’s just kind of how it happens. We’re really close friends now.

🏈 Bill Belichick and UNC Football

JF: Sticking with North Carolina, no stranger to legendary coaches. I feel like maybe they’re usually stamped at Carolina, but the football program [brought] in Bill Belichick, three-time NFL coach of the year, eight-time Super Bowl winning coach. What’d you think about that when it was official?

GB: It’s pretty dope to see because, you don’t get the opportunity to have someone like him. And I think guys are going to relish kind of, like, learning from him. I mean, guys want to get in the NFL, so I would think that he knows the formula to get there. And running a great organization. And I think that he can help the brand of Carolina football. And I think it’s tremendous.

JF: They’re shaping up, it seems like, to be known the same way that the basketball program, the women’s soccer team, women’s field hockey is. Can they do it?

GB: That first Labor Day weekend is going to be fun. The thing is, I hope the fan base is patient. I know Bill is patient—I’m sorry, Coach Belichick. Rome isn’t built in one day. It wasn’t going to happen in one year. Like, obviously, with the transfer portal and recruiting classes, it takes time to come in and develop guys. You have to give them a chance.

JF: How long should the fans give him? You say be patient.

GB: I mean, it’s the greatest coach of all time. You give them as much time as he wants.

🏀 Ground Zero Pro-Am in Raleigh

JF: I saw you this past weekend at the Ground Zero Pro-Am. Your team won the championship, Team Stable. This wasn’t your first time playing in that summer league, right?

GB: No, I think I’ve played in it four years…so I played in it every summer then.

JF: Oh, so you’ve been here then.

GB: Yeah, I have been here. Ever since I graduated from UNC, obviously I transferred to Mississippi State after that, I came back for my birthday that first summer. I left to hang out with my friends. I didn’t know anybody yet at Mississippi State. That next summer, I stayed around Chapel Hill. I was doing my pre-draft stuff in Raleigh with Jason Coleman.

JF: Your training with Jason is what got you [back] here.

GB: My training with Jason is what got me here. I like being around North Carolina because I don’t— I like Alabama, but it’s just like I’ve been so used to being in North Carolina. Obviously, I’ve been here. I went to UNC. I’ve been here four years. The majority of my friends are in North Carolina. But, yes, I just— I feel like if I move back to Alabama, I’ll have my parents, I’ll have my mom, my grandma and stuff. I feel like I’ll really be starting over again.

North Carolina is ‘THE’ Hoop State

JF: Playing for the University of North Carolina, you kind of get a sense of the culture and the basketball community within the state from the fans. And now you’ve immersed yourself in the local—

GB: Yeah, it’s a hoop state.

JF: Okay, is North Carolina the hoop state or a hoop state where, you know, a few states get that title?

GB: As far as I’m concerned, it’s the hoop state. Because, you can find runs anywhere from here, Greensboro and Charlotte. And I figure it’s always, like, pros around that want to play and stuff. And it’s always going to be a good amount of players here that have graduated from UNC, State. I don’t know about any Duke guys that come back around, but I know for sure NC State guys and UNC guys are always kind of around to hoop.

JF: And that’s kind of what you saw with Ground Zero, playing with guys you played with in college and just that are [part of N.C.] basketball.

GB: Correct. So, Breon [Pass] played for State. Ern [Ernest Ross] played for State at one point in time. Julian [Gamble] played in the ACC in 2012. I played in the ACC. BChill [Brandon Childress] played for Wake Forest. Like, there’s a bunch of them. TJ [Warren] played at NC State. Baby T [Terquavion Smith] he normally plays…DJ Burns played in it early this year. Jayden Gardner played at UVA. Justin McKoy played at UNC.

Playing Overseas

JF: Your experience with playing overseas for two seasons, what was that like?

GB: It’s a lot different. I mean, I think most of the time, today is August 6th. Most guys are getting ready to leave. I think the harder part is you realize that summer is so short and limited…Having people come visit you and being in a good area, that makes a world of a difference. My family had two Thanksgiving dinners last year because my team allowed me to go home the week before Thanksgiving. I sat there, ate dinner. It was perfect. I had no complaints about that break.

JF: Did you have to watch what you were eating?

GB: I didn’t care. I didn’t care at all. This is the one time I get to come home. Like, I didn’t care. So, I ate, did what I wanted. And saw my people, saw my family. That’s all that— I mean, essentially, that’s what matters to me. I think the tougher part is I haven’t been home for Christmas. Christmas is my family’s favorite holiday. This past year, I put up my own tree to kind of give me that Christmas feel. I thought that made it a little bit better, but it’s not the same.

JF: So you’re not opposed to playing overseas if it came down to it, but it’s just not preferable.

GB: That’s not preferable because, I mean, who wants to be hours and hours away from their family? If something happens, I can’t get to them. If they need something, sure, I’ll be on the call. I can call people to figure it out, but I’m not there.

Post-playing Career

JF: You have years ahead of you but when the basketball stops bouncing in your hands, do you think about what you could—

GB: I already know what I want to do. I want to be a sports commentator.

JF: Play-by-play, color?

GB: Ooh, play-by-play is tough. I would do color. I would like to do color, bring a little life to the game. Got a face for TV.

JF: You have a personality for it.

GB: There you go. I know that’s what I want to do so whenever that time comes, hopefully I can keep the connections I have and I’m able to do that.

JF: You’ll have to start practicing.

GB: I did the UNC midnight game [Live Action with Carolina Basketball, formerly Late Night with Roy]. I did the midnight game one year. It was my rookie year, actually. I did it heading into my rookie year.

JF: And you loved it?

GB: I loved it.

JF: I wasn’t sure if maybe you’d do coaching.

GB: I don’t really have the passion for coaching. As of right now, being 2026, I don’t have the passion for that. I think if I do color-commentating, that’s what I want to do.

JF: You’d be great for color so I hope that you are able to realize that. Well, thank you for your time and letting me catch up with you. Good luck in New Orleans. I appreciate it.

GB: No doubt.