Known to most as one of the main “bad guys” in the NBA, Dillon Brooks has always shown extreme confidence in his own game. And after helping Canada reach the semi-finals of the World Cup basketball player, his self-confidence is at its height. At least when it comes to neutralizing the opponent’s weapons.

“I’m the best perimeter defender in this tournament, in the whole world, in the NBA,” the forward insisted, according to go for an interview made by a journalist sporty, Christos Tsaltas. Brooks’ bold statement comes just a day after he performed what Canadian national team coach Jordi Fernández called “a defensive clinic” against Slovenian star Luka Doncic in their quarter-final match.

Curiously, both players were ejected from the game after receiving a second technical foul. And despite the tenacity displayed by Brooks, Doncic praised his approach to the game. “I thought Dillon was playing very well. It was very physical, as always. A lot of people don’t like him, but I respect him for what he does,” the Mavericks player said after the game. It should be noted that Brooks himself said just a month ago his intention to ‘chill out’ and focus exclusively on basketball. And while it’s true that his contribution was vital in the life-and-death clashes against Spain and Slovenia, it’s also true that he didn’t. failed to completely silence his controversial personality.

Thus, his coach, Fernández, shared with the press that Brooks needed to better manage these situations, since the team will need him on the field if they are to carry out their assault on the gold medal. For now, Bogdan Bogdanovic’s Serbia will be the next obstacle in the semi-finals which will take place this Friday.

(Cover photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)