Initially, Derek Haig and Jimmy Brooks were not fond of each other. When Jimmy began coaching Degrassi's boys' basketball team, Derek, a new member on the team, did not like the idea, as he assumed someone who was wheelchair-bound would not be a good coach. Derek did not hide his disdain for Jimmy, and constantly challenged him. Despite his disability, Jimmy proved himself to be a strong coach and eventually won Derek's respect and admiration.
Friendship history[]
Overview[]
Although they disliked each other in Death of a Disco Dancer, they later became friends.
Season 5[]
In Death of a Disco Dancer, Jimmy is proud to be the new basketball coach, but a new member, Derek, causes trouble. He thinks Jimmy should not be the coach because he is in a wheelchair. He calls Jimmy a "cripple" and the two get into a fight. However, Derek backs off once Jimmy proves he is the best, wheelchair or not.
In I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, the two were seen playing basketball together and Derek alerted Jimmy when Ellie Nash was walking by, then left them alone to talk.
Jimmy and Derek never interacted after I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. Eventually Derek met and began to hang out with Danny Van Zandt.
Season 6[]
In The Bitterest Pill, Jimmy and Derek both attended the Degrassi memorial service for J.T. Yorke, who was murdered by a Lakehurst Secondary School student named Drake Lempkey several days earlier.
Trivia[]
- They were both friends with Toby Isaacs.
- Jimmy was Derek's basketball coach.
- Derek's first line was spoken to Jimmy. ("Why?")
- They disliked each other when they first met.
- They were both members of the Degrassi Basketball Team.
- They both made their final appearances in Season 8: Jimmy in Lost in Love (1) and Derek in Heat of the Moment.
- Jimmy and Derek's late friend J.T. Yorke had the same birth name, which is James.
- Jimmy's best friend Spinner Mason is married to Emma Nelson, who was close friend with Derek's late friend J.T. Yorke.
- Jimmy's best friend Spinner Mason has bullied their mutual friend Toby Isaacs.
- Jimmy's best friend Spinner also bullied Derek's late friend J.T. Yorke.
