PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has publicly lauded the impact of teammate Dillon Brooks, citing his competitive spirit and work ethic as key factors in the team’s 32-23 record under first-year head coach Jordan Ott as of February 14, 2026.
Speaking at NBA All-Star festivities, Booker described Brooks as “a hard worker, man. He’s easily someone to rally behind. He’s a fierce competitor, and I wouldn’t want it any other way,” according to Suns.com’s Shane Young. Booker further emphasized his enjoyment of playing alongside Brooks, noting the growth of their chemistry and acknowledging Brooks’ unique personality. “I’d rather [him] be too competitive than it be the other way. It’s been a pleasure playing with him, we’ve enjoyed it. Still have a lot of work to do, but our chemistry has grown. Dillon, he is who he is and we love him for it. He’s a hell of a hooper, which a lot of people don’t talk about. I enjoy being his teammate.”
Brooks’ arrival in Phoenix has coincided with a career-high scoring average of 21.2 points per game, a figure unexpected at the start of the season. His intensity on the court has been credited with setting a latest tone for the Suns, though it has also resulted in a league-leading number of technical fouls. Brooks recently received a suspension after accumulating his 16th technical foul of the year, becoming the first player since DeMarcus Cousins to reach that mark before the All-Star break.
Coach Ott has echoed Booker’s praise, stating that Brooks’ energy and competitive spirit have “lifted our entire group. We feed off of it.” Ott also acknowledged the need for Brooks to manage his competitive edge, stating, “He’s got to get to the edge and not go over. It’s with the whole group… How we handle the emotions of these competitive games.”
The Suns’ success this season has been particularly notable given the absences of key players Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, which has created opportunities for Booker and Brooks to step into more prominent roles. The team is hopeful for the continued development of Jalen Green as a further boost to their roster.
