University of North Carolina Athletics
Brooker Stays Positive Despite Knee Injury
June 21, 1999 | Men's Basketball
January 30, 1999
Sometimes, you feel like you've been down this road before.
An athlete, excited about a season where the opportunity exists to step into a leading role, is sidelined by an ill-timed injury. For Michael Brooker, it is an all-too-familiar scenario, since it has happened to him twice in the last three years.
efore his freshman year in 1996, Brooker was poised to enter the Carolina program fresh off the heels of the graduation of shooter Dante Calabria. This was definitely a good opportunity for the former high school sharpshooter to step up.
Unfortunately, a summer ACL tear forced him to forego the entire season with a medical redshirt. After months of hard work, he came back last year, seeing limited time in 22 games. It's hard to get into the game when the guy ahead of you is Vince Carter.
This time it could have been different. When this season began, many speculated about the Tar Heels' void at shooting guard after the graduation of Shammond Williams. At a height of 6 foot 6, and a solid defender, Brooker seemed like one of the obvious choices. Yet, fate struck again, and on January 11, Brooker re-injured the knee that has plagued his career in Chapel Hill. Luckily, this time, it is not as detrimental.
"I'm really fortunate not to be as injured, and it's not as serious as it could have been," Brooker says. "I tore my menial meniscus and just a real small part of my ACL. We're looking at a difference of a nine-month recovery and four- to five-week rehab."
Regardless of the obvious disappointment, Brooker is taking everything in stride. "I think I'm handling it pretty well." he said. "I think I've realized that pretty much everything happens for a reason, I understand that. Of course I'd like to be out there playing or contributing in whatever way I can, but I know I can't right now. I just have to be a cheerleader on the bench and be an encouragement regardless of whether I'm playing or not."
While he is not playing, Brooker deals with his injury by "taking it easy," he said. He enjoys hanging out with friends and Athletes in Action, which he says is "a big part of me."
Prior to the most recent injury, Brooker saw time in several games early this season, including a 10-point performance against Appalachian State on November 13.
However, he understands his role on this year's team. "I pretty much understood that I'd come into practice everyday and work hard and push the guys and get a minute here or there and go out and do what the coaches ask me to do."
After being at Carolina for three years, Brooker also feels like he knows what it takes to be a leader in the Tar Heel program. "I've been to two Final Fours since I've been here, one playing, one while injured. I think I know what it takes for teams to get there and I think we have it this year. I think I can be a spiritual leader and an emotional leader or what not. Whatever they ask and whatever I need to do is what I'll do to help this team accomplish our goal."
Obviously, a player who is as team-oriented as Brooker is likes what he and his teammates have done to prove doubters wrong. "I enjoy being a part of a group of guys that a lot of people didn't believe in, that a lot of people thought were going to be the worst team in Carolina history. I think we have proven a lot of people wrong. We've got a long way to go, a long season ahead of us, but I think we've done pretty well for the youth and inexperience that we had only two starters coming back from last year."
While he works on rehabilitating his knee, Brooker has definite aspirations of what he wants to do when he is able to suit up again for Carolina.
"I hope to play with the same confidence I had before. Play all out -- 110%. Not worry about my knee or anything, just go out there and play hard and do what I have to do to help this team reach our goal, which is going to St. Petersburg, and hopefully, win it all."
Luckily for the Tar Heels, Brooker's return will likely coincide with the beginning of the ACC Tournament. Having such a positive influence on the team has to be an advantage for Carolina's program.
