Dillon Brooks built a career on being the player opponents love to hate, but that reputation came with consequences that reshaped his NBA journey. The Toronto-born forward’s edge made him a cult hero in Memphis, then led to his unceremonious exit and a new start with the Phoenix Suns.
Height: 6’7″ ·
Weight: 225 lbs ·
Position: Forward ·
Current Team: Phoenix Suns ·
College: Oregon ·
Born: January 22, 1996
Quick snapshot
- The identity of the mother of his child is not publicly confirmed
- His current relationship status remains private
- Exact nature of his ongoing relationship with LeBron James is unknown
- April 2023: Playoff taunt of LeBron James (Fox Sports)
- May 2023: Suspended after striking Steph Curry (SFGATE)
- 2025: Traded to Phoenix Suns (Yahoo Sports)
- Brooks joins a Suns squad with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker
- His role as a defensive stopper will be tested in the Western Conference
Eight career-defining events, one pattern: Dillon Brooks’ provocations shaped his NBA journey from Memphis to Phoenix.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dillon Brooks |
| Born | January 22, 1996 |
| Height | 6’7″ |
| Weight | 225 lbs |
| College | Oregon |
| NBA Debut | 2017 |
| Current Team | Phoenix Suns |
| Nickname | The Villain |
The table above captures the essential facts about a player whose on-court persona often overshadows the statistical baseline of his career.
Why Did the Grizzlies Get Rid of Dillon Brooks?
The 2023 Playoff Fallout
After the Grizzlies beat the Lakers in Game 2 of their first-round series in April 2023, Brooks walked off the court and told reporters he didn’t care about LeBron James, calling him “old” (Fox Sports). The comment went viral and turned a playoff series into a personal feud. The Lakers won the next four games and eliminated Memphis.
Brooks’ trash talk fueled a Grizzlies identity built on swagger, but it also gave opponents bulletin-board material that Memphis couldn’t back up on the court.
Brooks’ Role in Memphis
Brooks had been a core piece for the Grizzlies since being drafted 45th overall in 2017 (Wikipedia). He started 212 games over six seasons and made the All-Defensive Second Team in 2023 (ESPN). But the Grizzlies had reportedly offered him an extension the previous year, which he declined (CBC Sports). Memphis then decided not to bring him back in unrestricted free agency (ESPN).
The Grizzlies chose to move on from a player who averaged 14.5 points over his career rather than commit long-term at his asking price, signaling a culture reset in Memphis.
Trade and Free Agency
In July 2023, Brooks signed a three-year deal with the Houston Rockets (CBC Sports). His stay in Houston was short-lived. In a 2025 trade involving Kevin Durant, Brooks was dealt to the Phoenix Suns (Yahoo Sports).
What Did Dillon Brooks Do to Steph Curry?
The In-Game Hit
During a first-round playoff game between the Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors in May 2023, Brooks struck Stephen Curry in the stomach while Curry was driving to the basket. The play was reviewed and ruled a flagrant foul (SFGATE).
Consequences and Reactions
The NBA suspended Brooks for Game 3 of the series (SFGATE). Warriors coach Steve Kerr called the play “dirty” (SFGATE). The incident became a rallying point for Golden State, which won the series in six games.
Soul Searching Statement
In the aftermath, Brooks told reporters he needed “to do some soul searching” (ESPN).
Who Does Dillon Brooks Have a Child With?
Brooks as a Father
Dillon Brooks has one child, though he has kept the details of his family life out of the public eye. The identity of the mother has not been confirmed by any reliable source, and Brooks has not publicly addressed the relationship.
Privacy Around the Mother
Unlike many NBA players who share family moments on social media, Brooks has maintained a strict boundary around his private life. No credible reports have emerged naming a partner or providing details about the mother of his child.
Are Dillon Brooks and LeBron James Friends?
The Playoff Rivalry
Brooks and James engaged in a heated exchange during the 2023 playoffs. After a Memphis win, Brooks said of James: “I don’t care he’s old” (Fox Sports). James responded on the court and in interviews, making clear he was motivated by the disrespect.
Post-Series Comments
Brooks later elaborated, saying he has “no respect” for LeBron until James proves he can beat him one-on-one (ESPN).
Current Relationship Status
No evidence of a close friendship has emerged. The two have not been photographed together or spoken warmly about each other in any public setting since the 2023 series.
Who Is Dillon Brooks?
Early Life and College
- Born in Toronto, Canada, on January 22, 1996 (Wikipedia)
- Grew up in Mississauga, Ontario (CBC Sports)
- Played college basketball at the University of Oregon (Wikipedia)
NBA Career
- Drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 45th overall pick in 2017 (Wikipedia)
- Signed a three-year, $35 million extension with Memphis in 2020 (Lines.com)
- Made NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2023 (ESPN)
- Signed with Houston Rockets in 2023, traded to Phoenix Suns in 2025 (CBC Sports)
Playing Style and Reputation
Brooks has built a reputation as a tenacious defender and a willing antagonist. ESPN described his game as built on “antagonizing opponents and embracing a confrontational style” (ESPN). He has been ejected from multiple games for flagrant fouls, the most notable being the Curry incident that drew a suspension.
Dillon Brooks is a high-level defensive specialist whose on-court value is complicated by a persona that generates headlines and friction. For Phoenix, his edge is either a weapon for a title run or a liability in a high-stakes series.
Timeline
- : Born in Toronto, Canada (Wikipedia)
- : Drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies (45th overall) (Wikipedia)
- : Taunts LeBron James after playoff win (Fox Sports)
- : Signs with Houston Rockets as free agent (CBC Sports)
- : Traded to Phoenix Suns (Yahoo Sports)
Clarity: What’s Confirmed and What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Dillon Brooks was born in 1996 in Canada (Wikipedia)
- He played for the Grizzlies, Rockets, and Suns (CBC Sports)
- He hit Steph Curry in the stomach during a 2023 playoff game (SFGATE)
- He has one child
- He was suspended for the Curry incident (SFGATE)
What’s unclear
- The identity of the mother of his child
- Whether he is currently in a relationship
- The exact nature of his friendship with LeBron James
For a closer look at how these confrontations shaped his career, read more about Dillon Brooks LeBron and Curry feuds.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Dillon Brooks?
Dillon Brooks is 6’7″ (201 cm) tall (Wikipedia).
What team does Dillon Brooks play for?
Dillon Brooks currently plays for the Phoenix Suns, after being traded from the Houston Rockets in 2025 (Yahoo Sports).
What college did Dillon Brooks attend?
He played college basketball at the University of Oregon (Wikipedia).
What is Dillon Brooks’ career scoring average?
Dillon Brooks has averaged 14.5 points per game over his NBA career (Lines.com).
Why is Dillon Brooks called ‘Villain’?
He has embraced the nickname “The Villain” because of his confrontational playing style and willingness to provoke opponents, including high-profile players like LeBron James and Steph Curry (ESPN).
Has Dillon Brooks won any NBA awards?
Yes, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2023 (ESPN).
Did Dillon Brooks play for Canada’s national team?
Brooks has represented Canada in international competition, including the FIBA World Cup (CBC Sports).
Related reading
- Jamal Murray – Another Canadian NBA guard with a similar career and personal-life profile.
- Kawhi Leonard – A forward who navigated reputation shifts throughout his career, useful context for understanding the Brooks comparison.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Reviewly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.