Top 5 Small Forwards in the WCC this past season
By Josh Horton
Jan 16, 2014; Malibu, CA, USA; Pepperdine Waves guard Malcolm Brooks (15) drives past Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Kyle Dranginis (3) in the second half at Firestone Fieldhouse. Gonzaga defeated Pepperdine 70-53. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports
No. 3- Malcolm Brooks (Pepperdine)
Preseason Rank: NR
By James Pigott
Malcolm Brooks took advantage of the early season shooting struggles of senior Nikolas Skouen, and by the time conference play rolled around, he had turned into one of the most deadly three point shooters in the West Coast Conference. In 19 games against conference opponents, Brooks averaged 12.1 points per game, and scored in double figures in 11 of his last 12 games of the season. While he never reached the level he was at in late December when he was named WCC player of the week after scoring 20 and 24 points in victories over San Diego and BYU, he remained a consistent scorer from January onward.
While he gained more confidence to score outside of his three point shot, Marty Wilson began trusting him more as a potent wing scorer and not just a stand still shooter. With Brooks returning for his senior season alongside Jeremy Major and Amadi Udenyi, Pepperdine will have one of the best backcourts in the WCC. With the passing abilities of Major and Udenyi, expect Brooks to continue to get good looks from the perimeter next season.