Aaron (the good one) Brooks gets it done

2007 has been one big coming out party for University of Oregon point guard Aaron Brooks. On January 4Th, Brooks hit an uncontested baseline jumper as time ran to give his team the win over the previously undefeated and #1 ranked UCLA Bruins. He ended up with 25 points shooting 9 for 13 from the field. Going against a team that is known for having a wonderful defensive back court, Brooks had himself a field day. Not to be outdone by anyone but himself, Brooks stepped up again this past Sunday against the Arizona Wildcats. Colleges own Agent Zero dropped 21 points with 6 assists and 3 steals. With the game tied and a raucous Wildcat fan base making the arena deafening, Brooks fearlessly drove the lane and in a tie ball game with two seconds left, kissed a floater off the glass to give his team the win. Oregon now finds themselves ranked 10Th in the country and 1st in the PAC-10.
What makes Aaron Brooks such a great story isn't just his ballsy play that hasn't been seen by a point guard in the PAC-10 since Nate Robinson, but his need for the ball as the seconds tick down and his inner strength to will his team to victory. He simply will not be denied. At the end of the Arizona game, Brooks had his shot contested by Chase Budinger. One of the top freshman in an extremely deep class, Budinger has been praised by none other than Michael Jordan for his athletic ability (Budinger has a vertical leap that goes up and beyond 40 inches). Brooks showed no sign of backing down as Budinger slid across the lane to help, he just went up and over him. On this one play he made it seem like all the fuss over Budinger was for naught.
Sitting pretty with only one loss this season at the hands of USC, Oregon can't let any of their success get to their head this early in the season. They still have rematches against UCLA and Arizona plus two games against the young Washington Huskies who are gaining experience as the season progresses. Led by the bold play of Aaron Brooks, the Ducks are on track to do more that just let out a few quacks this March.