Air Force basketball will rely on versatile Brooks

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Derek Brooks cq

Jeff Reynolds cq

Evan Washington cq

Derek Brooks knows he’s going to be the first Air Force basketball player to come off the bench most nights, he just doesn’t know who he’ll be substituting for.

Brooks’ versatility might be his greatest asset to the Falcons. The 6-foot-5 senior could fill any position in a pinch. Because the Falcons are thin in the frontcourt, coach Jeff Reynolds has discussed the possibility of Brooks playing a little center this year, which would give the Falcons a small but interesting lineup.

So Brooks will start the game on the bench, and what happens in the first few minutes of the game might determine where he plays.

“Whatever coach needs, he knows I’m there to do whatever,” Brooks said.

Moving closer to the baseline is not new to Brooks. Last year he played power forward for the first time, out of necessity. Although many of the offensive positions for the Falcons are interchangeable, he was going against much bigger and taller players on the other end.

“I had to use my quickness to not let them get their post position,” Brooks said.

There are advantages on the offensive end. When Brooks is defended by those bigger players, they have a tough time keeping up with him. He can create off the dribble, or simply clear the lane by forcing the other team to step out on him.

“He gives the staff some versatility,” Reynolds said. “He can create mismatches.”

The Falcons don’t have a lot of size, although 6-8 forward Zach Bohannon has been practicing after having minor knee surgery a few weeks ago. Brooks can help the staff mix and match to get its best lineups on the floor.

That wouldn’t be possible without experience and intelligence. Brooks has to know every position. When Brooks tore a tendon in his toe two seasons ago and missed all but four games, he came to every practice. Watching from a different angle and learning is helping him now.

Now Brooks is what Reynolds considers the team’s top vocal senior leader (Evan Washington isn’t quite as boisterous as Brooks) and he is well versed in what Air Force needs from him.

“It comes with time,” Brooks said. “And nothing comes without time or hard work.”