Overtime Elite Photo
Kentucky hoped to pick up a needed addition to its 2023-24 basketball roster Wednesday when versatile 6-9 Jordan Burks of Hillcrest Prep (Ariz.) — a one-time Ole Miss commit — was scheduled to make his commitment on the Paper Route podcast.
Instead, the three-star prospect will now make his decision Monday. He said on the podcast that UK was his “dream school” even though he did not commit to Kentucky Wednesday.
“That’s all you seen when you turned the TV on, at my age,” Burks said on the podcast. “So it was like, I want to play for (John) Calipari. I want to be a blue blood.”
He’s a top 200 national recruit and Hillcrest Prep coach Nick Weaver says he will be ready to contribute as a true freshman after playing against Overtime Elite talent last season where he led the league in scoring at 27 points per game.
“We have had great success with our players going to college and then the pros,” Weaver said. “They are prepared. They play against four- and five-star guys all the time. They are just used to that big-time competition and when they get to college, it’s just another game.
“We travel across the United States to play. We played in 13 cities last year. They don’t hit a freshman wall because they are used to being away from home and traveling to play games.”
Burks turns 19 this fall and Weaver said a “lot” of NBA scouts have already asked him about him because of his defensive prowess and ability to score in different ways, including from 3-point range.
“I see him getting drafted next year,” Weaver said. “Cal knows guys can fall through the (recruiting) cracks who are really good players. Some guys in this class missed a year due to COVID, so the 2024 rankings are not as accurate as they should be.”
What could Burks add to Kentucky if he picked the Cats?
“First, he would give them depth. Second, he brings toughness. He is a junkyard dog and pitbull. He is tough as nails. If you are in a bar brawl, you want to bring him with you. He will not back down. I still say if you just go off the overall body of work, he was the best player in Overtime Elite this year,” Weaver said.
