villain /ˈvilən/ noun: The character who stands against the hero. In basketball, that depends entirely on which jersey you wear.
Enter Dillon Brooks.
For our exclusive one on one, we took over The Ra Ra Room, Phoenix’s members-only hideaway tucked away at the Suns’ home court. Surrounded by unapologetic glamour, Dillon arrived with a crisp collar and pure vibe.
On the court, he locks eyes with opponents and plays every possession like it is personal. At our table, he was relaxed, reflective and completely at ease.
Not a different Dillon. Just a side the crowd rarely gets to see.
Turns out, the Villain has range.
“The Villain is the other side,” he says. “It’s the alter ego. I save that energy for the persona I bring to the court. Once the game is over, I come back to my normal life.”
The contrast is striking, but there is no contradiction. The same man dubbed the Villain also calls himself the teacher and protector of his team.
At The Ra Ra Room, with the velvet behind him and the Villain temporarily off duty, Dillon let us meet both.
Let's start with the Ra Ra menu. What's your top pick?
The spicy rigatoni. Everyone’s favorite.
What's your pre-game meal?
It’s specific. I eat penne pasta with garlic and olive oil, chicken and shrimp. I can’t do all the spice before a game because it might hurt my stomach.
After the game, do you turn up the flavor?
Yeah. Then I’ll get the veal, the kale with goat cheese, and a mock drink.
You grew up in Canada. As a kid, did you have big dreams?
I knew I wanted to be an NBA player when I was 10. My mom still has it written down. At school, we were asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. I wrote, “NBA player.”
Who did you admire?
Dwyane Wade and, obviously, Vince Carter. Vince because he played for Toronto. That was when the Raptors really started picking up in the NBA.
When did you realize the NBA could actually happen for you?
When I went to Findlay Prep in Las Vegas. I was around 16 or 17, and I was playing with all these great players who were McDonald’s All Americans. Before me, a lot of Canadians went to that school, earned Division I scholarships and then played in the NBA. I knew I was on the right trajectory.
It was also a growing step in my life because I was away from my family. I flew all the way to Vegas, and I’ve basically been away from my family ever since then.
After Findlay Prep, you committed to the University of Oregon. You reached the Final Four and became Pac 12 Player of the Year.
I was happy, but I wasn’t content. I knew there was more. I knew I had to work more each year and build myself into a better basketball player while also growing into a man.
You were selected with the 45th pick in the second round of the NBA Draft.
Yes, I had done my pre-draft workout in Westchester, and that night I had a little party in Toronto with close family and friends. I didn’t even see my name at first. I got the call, and then I saw it on the ticker.
I was mostly looking at my mom and my grandparents. They were all there, and my mom was crying. She was seeing her son achieve his dream. All my friends were happy. I was just taking in the moment.
Even then, though, I knew there was more to come.
When did the more aggressive side of you begin to form?
I don’t think anyone called it the Villain back then. Maybe they would have called me a troublemaker or an aggressive player. Every time I stepped on the floor, I wanted to do my best at any cost. I wanted to win. I’ll do anything to win and play hard.
Even when I was younger, I was always training. My AAU team would do mountain runs and parachute runs. What people see now comes from all the work, the losses, the triumphs, and the winning.
When did you first hear the name Dillon the Villain?
It was in Memphis. I don’t remember exactly who said it first. It was probably someone in the media or one of my teammates. It clicked right away.
Do you own it?
For sure. It took two or three years for me to fully accept it, but now, every time I step on the floor and someone calls out Dillon the Villain, I own it.
So the Villain is your alter ego?
Exactly. It’s the other side. Having that alter ego keeps me at peace in real life. It keeps things exciting.
What happens when that aggression leads to a foul out or suspension?
It’s part of the game. It’s a little adversity, and it shapes you. You either do it again or you learn from it.
One year, I think I led the league in fouls. You have to be smart with your fouls, but it’s also an indication that you’re playing hard and playing aggressively.
You are heading into your second season with the Suns. How do you look back on the first?
The first season was great. Everybody thought we weren’t going to be a great team or win many games. We surpassed those expectations by January.
We gelled well. We all came together wanting one thing, which was to win games, and I felt like we did a great job.
There appears to be a real bond among this group.
We’re tight. There aren’t really secrets. We fight and play hard for each other every night, and that creates trust. Once you start knowing people on a family and personal level, you create that brotherhood.
What do you bring to the Suns?
I’m the teacher and protector.
I’ve been in the NBA for nine years, going into my 10th. I’ve learned a lot, seen a lot, and met so many different players. I’m like an encyclopedia when it comes to basketball, taking care of yourself, and figuring out the industry of the game.
With the younger guys, you teach them how to play defense and show them certain tricks of the trade. That’s the teacher part.
And the protector?
When I’m on the floor, I play with aggression. That can be infectious. It makes everyone play harder and play together. If anybody gets too far out of line, I’ll step into the middle of it.
Suns fans embraced you immediately. What does that support meant to you?
I always play to the fans.
This is my third team, and it’s a completely different fan base. They’re engaging. They support you through the thick and thin. They welcomed me with open arms.
Phoenix feels like home.
What memory from your first season in Phoenix stands out?
Definitely the China trip. But there were also so many great wins and learning lessons throughout the year.
What stands out is how we bounced back when things happened. When Book got hurt, when guys were out of the lineup, or when someone wasn’t shooting well, we always had another player pick it up. Nobody was selfish or mad about it. We were just trying to find a way to win.
That shaped us and made us who we are. It’s also what we’re bringing into the next season.
What advice stays with you?
Keith Smart was one of my first coaches. Every time I had a good game, he would ask, “How can you be more consistent? How can you do it again and again and again?”
That’s what makes you great. You have to replicate the same good game or great game over and over. He told me that during my rookie year, and it stuck with me.
Mike Conley also told me that every game is a learning lesson. That helps during rough seasons and after losses. I use it when I see someone struggling with the game they had.
What's your pregame ritual?
Right before we start talking about the game, I listen to The Weeknd. “One of Those Nights” or “Might Not.” It’s a slower type of vibe, but it gets me motivated. On the drive, I listen to a lot of 50 Cent. That’s my guy.
Everything is regimented. I get treatment on the table, do mobility work, stretch and do different isometrics. Then I go into the weight room and warm up my body. I go out for my pregame shooting, come back in and put on all my body armor and tights.
I get my ankles taped, take off my ring, put on my jersey and get the game plan. Then we wait for everyone to come out, do our handshakes and run onto the floor.
I have the stare that everybody sees.
You say the second year together will be special. Why?
We already went through one season together. We have everything locked down, and now we get another training camp to improve and understand exactly what we want to do offensively and defensively.
During the season, you build a base. We already have our base. Now it’s about getting 1 percent better every day. That could happen through practice, taking care of your body or playing the games.
If everyone wants to get 1 percent better, it becomes infectious. It creates a domino effect.
Personal goals for the season?
I would love to make the All Star team, especially with it being here.
What did you do to reset during the offseason?
I went to the Bahamas, sat on the beach, reminisced, and reflected on the year. You have to reflect.
What do you like to binge-watch?
I always watch old movies... The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Star Wars.
For TV, I watch The Big Bang Theory, Breaking Bad, Prison Break and MobLand.
Talk about your style.
Four years ago, I was flashy and over the edge. For the past two years, I’ve tried to keep it basic. Plain T shirts, slacks and simple pieces.
I’ve also started doing the tie and polo thing because now I know how to tie a tie.
Who taught you?
YouTube.
I asked one of our security guys to do it for me, but he was already on the first bus. He told me to search it on YouTube, so I did.
Let’s talk food. What did you love eating as a kid?
A lot of shrimp and lobster. My dad is from the East Coast, so he always wanted seafood.
Ultimate cheat meal?
Homemade blueberry cobbler.
Breakfast?
If I don’t have breakfast, I’m cranky.
Right now, it’s three sunny side up eggs, three pieces of bacon and three pancakes.
Lunch?
Varies. Tacos, a protein bowl with chicken, salmon, steak, or a big salad.
Ideal dinner when it's not game day...
I love veal. A thin cut of veal, grilled with lemon and caper sauce. There’s a version from Harry’s in Venice, Italy, that I love.
You wrote “NBA player” when you were 10. Now you are entering your 10th NBA season. What dream moment is still ahead of you?
Winning a championship.
I’ve seen countless friends do it. I know how long and grueling the season is. You put that much time into it, and then you’re holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end. You’re the best team out of 30 teams.
That would be my dream moment.
IG @dillonbrooks24