Former UCF F Jordan Burks Shines in Preseason Bouts
· Yahoo Sports
After orchestrating a March Madness run with a fully-new roster, UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins was able to retain some solid pieces from last year, including starting big man John Bol and bench sharpshooter Carmelo Pacheco.
However, the Knights' wing depth took a hit, as players like Jamichael Stillwell and Jordan Burks decided to transfer to rival programs within the Big 12.
Visit betsport.cv for more information.
Burks, who was UCF's third-leading scorer last season, made the move to Oklahoma State, where he had his first taste of preseason basketball earlier this week.
The Cowboys took on Puerto Rico Fuerza as part of a 3-game slate on both Sunday and Monday, with Burks contributing to two victories.
His first game was very impressive, as the former Knight scored a team-high 16 points on efficient 5-of-6 shooting.
Burks, who shot 37.3% from deep last season in Orlando, made three triples, adding six total rebounds in the 94-88 victory.
His final 3-point make thwarted a Fuerza comeback, as the Puerto Rican hosts had climbed within two points, trailing 88-86.
In Game 2, Burks did not play nearly as many minutes, suiting up for just over 12 minutes of gameplay.
But, the 6-foot-9 senior wing was still very efficient, making all three of his shot attempts and adding another five boards.
After recording zero assists in Game 1, Burks notched three dimes in the Cowboys' dominant 120-92 victory.
Free-throw shooting was also a consistency, as Burks knocked down all six of his attempts from the charity stripe over the two contests.
Getting Burks, an experienced and lengthy perimeter scorer, is a big win for head coach Steve Lutz and the Cowboys program, as he had multiple big showings during UCF's run to the Big Dance.
In UCF's 75-71 loss to UCLA in the first round of March Madness, Burks showed out, scoring a game-high 22 points while making six 3-pointers.
Burks was huge in keeping UCF within striking distance, knocking down timely long balls and shooting over 50% from the field (8-15).
Following the loss, Burks talked about how crucial head coach Johnny Dawkins and the rest of the staff was to helping him breakout.
"The whole staff, Coach Dawkins, they pour into you," Burks said. "Like off the court, on the court, it doesn't really matter. They molded me into a a nice young man. I feel like they gave me a chance and I just took the opportunity and capitalized as much as I possibly could."
In one of the Knights' marquee wins, a 97-84 victory over then-ranked No. 19 Brigham Young University, Burks led the way, scoring 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting.
Burks was extremely efficient all night, knocking down four 3-pointers and seeking high-quality looks.
He also added value on the defensive end, notching two steals and a block.
With another big season and strong showing from 3-point range, Burks could play his way into NBA Draft considerations next year.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.