Garrison Brooks’ Basketball Journey Comes Full Circle: Former UNC Star’s G League Rights Traded to Birmingham Squadron
For years, Garrison Brooks was the steady heartbeat of the North Carolina Tar Heels. A tough, relentless forward from Meridian, Mississippi, Brooks grew into one of the most dependable players Roy Williams ever coached in Chapel Hill. Now, at 26 years old, his basketball story has taken yet another twist: his G League returning player rights have been traded to the Birmingham Squadron, the NBA G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans.
The deal, which saw Birmingham acquire Brooks’ rights in exchange for the returning player rights of Jalen Slawson, may not make national headlines. But for those who know Brooks’ story his growth at UNC, his trials overseas, and his dream of making it to the NBA it feels like a potential turning point.
A Tar Heel Legacy
When Brooks first arrived in Chapel Hill as part of the 2017 recruiting class, he wasn’t the flashiest name. UNC had just come off a national championship, and expectations for Brooks were modest. But from the very beginning, it was clear he was a worker.
By his junior season in 2019–20, Brooks had blossomed into one of the most reliable big men in the ACC. Averaging 16.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, he became the emotional leader of a Tar Heel team that struggled overall but leaned on his consistency. Fans remember that year not only for Brooks’ production but also for his toughness he played through pain, he played through adversity, and he never shied away from the physical battles in the paint.
He was named All-ACC Second Team and earned the ACC’s Most Improved Player Award, cementing his place in Tar Heel history. For many UNC fans, Brooks embodied the kind of gritty, dependable player that Carolina basketball has always been built on.
The Professional Grind
Like many college standouts, Brooks faced a challenging transition to the professional game. He began his career with the Westchester Knicks, the G League affiliate of the New York Knicks, where he flashed some of the same skills that made him successful at UNC: rebounding, physicality, and leadership.
But the G League is a grind one filled with constant roster turnover, competition for contracts, and players clawing for a shot at the NBA. Rather than remain stateside, Brooks took his talents overseas, hoping to carve out a stable professional path.
His first stop was the Korean Basketball League, but injuries limited his time there. Determined not to let setbacks derail his career, Brooks shifted once again, this time landing in Lithuania, where he joined BC Wolves for the 2024–25 season.
Playing in Europe gave him valuable experience against seasoned professionals, but it also tested his resilience. Different cultures, different styles of basketball, and the challenges of being far from home all added layers to his journey. Yet through it all, Brooks remained committed to chasing the dream that started back in Chapel Hill.
Why the Birmingham Squadron Move Matters
So why does this latest move the trade of his G League rights to the Birmingham Squadron matter so much?
For one, it provides Brooks with a clear pathway back to the U.S. game. If he decides to return from Europe, he’ll have the chance to suit up for a G League team that is directly connected to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans, known for developing young talent through their affiliate, could offer Brooks the opportunity to showcase himself in front of NBA scouts and decision-makers once again.
The timing also works in his favor. At 26, Brooks is no longer a “young prospect,” but his maturity, experience, and toughness could make him a valuable piece in a league that increasingly values veterans who can stabilize rosters and mentor younger players.
The Squadron themselves have been on the rise, building a reputation for player development. For Brooks, this could be the perfect stage to not only reboot his career in the U.S. but to prove that he can still contribute at the NBA level.
A Player Defined by Resilience
If there’s one thing that has always defined Garrison Brooks, it’s resilience. From earning his minutes as a freshman at UNC to carrying the scoring load during a difficult Tar Heel season, to battling injuries abroad, Brooks has never taken the easy road.
He has faced criticism, setbacks, and the unpredictable nature of professional basketball. Yet each time, he’s responded with work ethic and determination. That’s why Tar Heel fans are so invested in his journey because they know what he represents.
What Comes Next
There are still questions to be answered. Will Brooks decide to return to the G League this year? Will he stick with BC Wolves in Lithuania? And if he does join the Squadron, will he get the NBA shot he’s been chasing?
No matter what happens, one thing is clear: Brooks’ basketball journey is far from over. His rights may now belong to Birmingham, but his story still belongs to every fan who cheered for him in Chapel Hill.
If he does return stateside, Tar Heel Nation will surely be watching and hoping that the same toughness that defined him in powder blue can carry him all the way to the NBA hardwood.
Final Thought
For UNC fans, seeing Garrison Brooks’ name resurface in G League news is more than just a transaction it’s a reminder of a player who gave everything he had to the program. And maybe, just maybe, it’s the start of the chapter that finally gets him to the league he’s worked his whole life to reach.
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