Vicky Graff Photo
Kentucky coach John Calipari didn’t talk a lot about freshman Jordan Burks after UK’s 109-77 win at Vanderbilt other than to say he was proud of him “because he hadn’t had a chance” to play a lot recently.
Burks, a high-scoring high school player, showed flashes of brilliance at Vanderbilt when injuries and foul problems gave him a chance to play 15 minutes, the most he’s played in any SEC game.
He went 6-for-6 from the field with a three-pointer, had five rebounds and fit perfectly into UK’s flow on both offense and defense.
“Jordan Burks did his thing and played real good and fit right into the rotation and was what we needed,” UK teammate Aaron Bradshaw said after the win.
Former UK All-American Jack Givens said on the UK Radio Network he was rebounding shots for Burks — Givens travels with the team and also attends practice regularly — when he shared some advice with him.
“I could tell he was a little down and wanting an opportunity (to play). I said, ‘Jordan this team is going to need you. Make sure you keep your head in the game. Stay positive and work harder than anyone in practice,’” Givens said.
“He did that. It was good to see him take advantage of those minutes.”
With Tre Mitchell and Adou Thiero both having back issues, Burks might keep getting opportunities, especially after the way he played at Vanderbilt.
9 Responses
Burks has played consistently better than several other high profile PETS
Exactly I’ve been mad about this all year. He is actually better than Edwards and Thiero and he’s more aggressive than the 7 footers. I hope he doesn’t transfer because he could be the best player on the team next year.
Thr dude can ball
Yes he can Goose
Just another example of Cal mismanaging the talent that he has on the team and he does it yearly.
The game this kid had after the struggles he has suffered show high potential. This is such a positive story about a player turning around a difficult slump.
This story illustrates why a wonderful person Jack Givens is to share and help uplift this young man Jack has made a friend for life by stepping up to help a kid in need
regarding his learning how to deal with a difficult situation.
It was impressive John
I don’t mean to toot my own horn but I’ve said this all year. He gets in the game and plays harder and more aggressive than anyone else on the team in the front court. He’s actually a 3 but can play the 2 3 or 4. He doest go up under the basket and try to roll the ball off his fingers He slams it through the rim. He’s a great rebounder and he’s automatic inside the 4 point line. Put like this he played on Dillingham team last year and let the team in scoring with 28ppg. He’s a beast and he’s actually better than Edwards and Thiero. He deserves at least 10-12 minutes every game. I would play him about 18 mins a game. The chemistry of the team seems to flow better when he’s in the game. Big Z needs more minutes. Burks needs more minutes and I’m just calling it like I see it.
Yes you have been saying that Terry