In the ever-evolving world of the NBA, few stories capture the grind and resilience of undrafted rookies better than that of Keion Brooks Jr.
From his multi-sport upbringing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to leading the Pac-12 in scoring at Washington and carving out a two-way role with the New Orleans Pelicans, Brooks’s journey is a testament to hard work and adaptability.
Let’s take a closer look at the personal background, early rise, professional breakthrough, financial standing and on-court production of this 6-foot-7 forward.
Keion Brooks Jr.’s Biography
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Keion Lee Brooks Jr. |
| Date of Birth | August 7, 2000 |
| Age | 24 years old |
| Education | Majored in Communication at University of Washington; attended Kentucky and Washington |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Turned Pro | (undrafted, signed an Exhibit-10 two-way deal with New Orleans) |
| Net Worth | $1 million |
| Salary/Career Earnings | $315,628 (two-way salary) |
| Spouse/Partner | Keeps his private life under wraps; no public records of marriage |
| Instagram Profile | N/A |
| Twitter Profile | N/A |
Early Career
Growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Keion Brooks Jr. was the youngest of four brothers. From an early age he balanced multiple sports-football, baseball and soccer-before zeroing in on basketball, following in the footsteps of his father, Keion Sr., who played collegiately at Wright State.
On the court, young Brooks quickly distinguished himself. As a fifth grader he celebrated what he still calls his most memorable moment: winning a national youth championship. Off the court, his grandparents instilled in him values of discipline and dedication, while his parents-mother Sarita and father Keion Sr.-supported his development both as an athlete and an honor-roll student.
At North Side High School in Fort Wayne, Brooks emerged as a sophomore averaging more than 20 points and seven rebounds per game. He led the Vikings to the Class 4A state title game, showcasing a blend of size, strength and skill that caught the attention of college recruiters. Seeking to sharpen his all-around game, he transferred as a senior to La Lumiere School in La Porte, Indiana-a national basketball powerhouse.
There he formed a productive backcourt alongside future NBA player Isaiah Stewart, guiding La Lumiere to the GEICO Nationals finals. Brooks closed his high school career with averages of 20.1 points and 7.5 rebounds and earned selection to the prestigious Jordan Brand Classic.
Rated as a five-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports and four stars by ESPN, Brooks fielded offers from traditional blue-blood programs including Indiana, Michigan State, Kansas and UCLA. On March 15, 2019, he committed to Kentucky, drawn by coach John Calipari’s track record of developing NBA talent.
At Kentucky, Brooks spent three seasons refining his skill set, working on his perimeter shooting and court vision in the competitive Southeastern Conference. Though playing time and scoring outputs fluctuated, he developed the versatility to slide between small forward and power forward positions, setting the stage for a standout final collegiate chapter.
Professional Career
Keion Brooks Jr. went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. Unfazed, he joined the New Orleans Pelicans for Summer League, showcasing the shooting touch and physical tools that made him a standout in college. Impressed by his potential, the Pelicans signed him to an Exhibit-10 two-way contract on July 1, 2024.
That deal carried a base value of $1,157,153, while his two-way salary for the 2024-25 season was set at $315,628-standard for players splitting time between an NBA roster and its G League affiliate.
Assigned primarily to the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League, Brooks seized his opportunity to play major minutes and fine-tune his game. Over 26 appearances, he averaged 16.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 32.9 minutes per game, shooting 43.8 percent from the floor and 34 percent from three.
His high-motor style, ability to score off catch-and-shoot situations, and willingness to defend multiple positions earned praise from coaches and peers. On January 14, 2025, New Orleans converted his Exhibit-10 deal into a standard two-way contract, allowing him to shuttle freely between the NBA and G League.
Brooks made his NBA debut on February 5, 2025, against the Denver Nuggets, logging 17 minutes while grabbing three rebounds. Five days later, he notched his first two NBA points in a contest at Oklahoma City. As the season progressed, he enjoyed a career-high 20-point outing (7-of-13 FG, 4-of-8 3PT) against the Milwaukee Bucks, adding six rebounds across 32 minutes.
By season’s end, he appeared in 14 games for New Orleans, averaging 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks in 23.7 minutes per game, while shooting an efficient 48.6 percent from the field. His contributions were a bright spot for a Pelicans squad navigating injuries and roster turnover.
Keion Brooks Jr.’s Net Worth Details
Keion Brooks Jr.’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025.
Contract
Brooks Jr. inked an Exhibit-10 contract with the New Orleans Pelicans in July 2024 that carried the NBA minimum salary of $1,157,153 plus up to a $50,000 bonus if he spent time with their G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron.
In January 2025, New Orleans converted his Exhibit-10 deal into a standard two-way contract, setting his 2024-25 two-way salary at $315,628 and allowing him to split his season between the Pelicans and Birmingham while giving New Orleans the right to match any future offers once he reaches restricted free agency.
Salary
For the 2024–25 season Brooks Jr. will earn a two-way salary of $315,628, which covers all his NBA service days and includes the Exhibit-10 bonus he received after spending at least 60 days with the Birmingham Squadron.
While on two-way status, he collects the full NBA per-diem rate for each day he’s on the Pelicans’ active roster and the standard G League stipend-which typically runs around $75,000-for days in Birmingham.
Between his pro-rated NBA pay and G League earnings, his total cash compensation for the year comes in just above $315,000, with potential to rise slightly if he hits performance incentives or signs a standard NBA deal.
Career Earnings
| Season | Team(s) | NBA Salary | G League Earnings | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | New Orleans Pelicans / Birmingham Squadron | $315,890 | Included in two-way contract | $315,890 |
| 2025–26 | Restricted Free Agent | TBD | TBD | TBD |
NBA Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | New Orleans Pelicans | 14 | 6 | 23.7 | 10.1 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 48.6% | 32.6% | 73.3% |
FAQs
1. Who is Keion Brooks Jr.?
Keion Brooks Jr. is a 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward born August 7, 2000, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He starred collegiately at Kentucky and Washington, led the Pac-12 in scoring at 21.3 points per game, then signed a two-way NBA contract with the New Orleans Pelicans while playing for their G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron. He combines athleticism with efficient shooting.
2. What was his high school basketball background?
Brooks began at North Side High School in Fort Wayne, averaging 20.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore and guiding his team to the Class 4A state title game. For his senior season, he transferred to La Lumiere School in Indiana, where he averaged 20.1 points and 7.5 rebounds, helped his team to a GEICO Nationals runner-up finish, and earned a selection to the Jordan Brand Classic.
3. How did he perform during his Kentucky career?
Brooks averaged 7.6 points in limited freshman action. As a sophomore he posted 10.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. In his junior season he started 33 games, set career highs with 10.8 points and 4.4 rebounds, and scored a career-best 27 points against top-five Kansas, earning SEC Player of the Week honors.
4. What were his achievements at Washington?
Brooks led the Pac-12 in scoring at 21.3 points per game while adding 6.8 rebounds and shooting 37 percent from three-point range. He was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team, became one of five finalists for the Julius Erving Award, appeared on the USBWA Oscar Robertson Trophy Watch List, and recorded 20-point games in 23 contests-a single-season program high.
5. What professional path did he follow after college?
Undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, Brooks signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. That deal allows him to practice and play with the Pelicans while getting significant playing time with their G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, as he works to establish himself at the NBA level.
6. What are his G League statistics and role?
Brooks started 25 of 26 games, averaging 16.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 32.9 minutes per contest. He shot 43.8 percent from the field and 34.0 percent from three-point range, showcasing consistent scoring ability and solid rebounding as a two-way player.
7. What is his playing style and key strengths?
Brooks plays as a versatile forward with a strong midrange game, capable of attacking the rim and knocking down catch-and-shoot threes. He rebounds with good timing, defends multiple positions, and maintains a high free-throw percentage around 79 percent. His combination of size, shooting efficiency and basketball IQ makes him a matchup challenge.
8. What is known about his family and personal background?
Born to Keion Sr. and Sarita Brooks, he grew up alongside three brothers-Darrius, Darrion and Karion. An honor-roll student, he graduated from Washington with a communication degree. His father played college basketball at Wright State, Brooks wears jersey No. 12 to honor him, cites his grandparents as major influences, and enjoys playing NBA 2K in his free time.
9. What notable career milestones has he achieved?
Brooks reached 1,000 career college points with a three-pointer against Arizona State. His 27-point outing at Kansas marked the highest scoring performance by a Kentucky player in a road win over a top-five AP-ranked team since 1958. At Washington, his 674 points in one season rank sixth in program history.
10. How was he evaluated as a recruit?
Rated a five-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports and a four-star by ESPN, Brooks ranked as high as No. 14 nationally on 247Sports’ composite, No. 29 on Rivals, and No. 36 on ESPN. On March 15, 2019, he committed to Kentucky over offers from Indiana, Michigan State, North Carolina, Kansas and UCLA, highlighting his versatile skill set and high upside.
