Alec Burks Enters 2011 NBA Draft

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

"I will be entering the 2011 NBA draft and my plan is to sign with an agent," Colorado sophomore Alec Burks said in a press conference. "I just felt like it was something I just couldn't pass up."

The 6'6'' guard from Grandview, Mo decided to forgo his final two years of eligibility to pursue a professional career.

Burks really opened eyes during his freshman season averaging 17.1 points, five rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.

Following his freshman season, Burks received the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award becoming the first Buff' to ever achieve the feat.

He was All-Big 12 Frosh team as well as All-Big 12 honorable mention.

He continued on his success his sophomore season, averaging an astounding 20.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.9 assist per game.

He became the first Buff' to be named to the Big 12 tournament team, was unanimous Big 12 conference selection and Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention along with many other awards.

Burks has caught the eye of NBA scouts due to his athleticism, length and scoring ability. He is expected to be a big time prospect at the next level.

Many NBA draft sites have Burks being selected in the lottery.

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Burks Blossoming into Elite Player

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Alec Burks hasn't had a problem proving doubters wrong. After only receiving six scholarship offers, most of which that came very late, Burks has taken advantage of his time at Colorado University.

After his first season at Colorado, Burks was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, winning the honor over soon-lottery pick Xavier Henry, after scoring 17.1 points, and grabbing five rebounds per game.

This season, Burks has emerged as one of the best shooting guards in the country.

Burks has certainly grew as a player after his first season. He makes better decisions, and is still as efficient as ever.

Standing at 6-foot-6, Burks is very quick off his feet, explosive, and has a NBA-ready jumper.

He has the ability to take the opposition off the dribble, step back and finish around the rim.

Burks ability to rebound the ball adds another dimension to his already polished game but his bright spot comes on the defensive end. He hasn't utilized his long frame on the defensive end, and could become a great defender with help.

Burks takes an average of 13 shots per game, and nails an outstanding (51%) of his shots. His proficient offense helps him score 20.1 a game, that includes his recent 36-point scoring outrage against the Missouri Tigers.

This season, compared to last, Burks has come out very aggressively attacking the opposition with his unique scoring ability.

"I try to start out every game aggressive," said Burks following his 36-point performance against Missouri. "Every time I step on the court, I want to be aggressive. It wasn't anything new. It's the same game every game."

He has improved his free-throw percentage shooting (82%) from the charity stripe, while nailing (35%) of his three balls.

"The thing I like about Alec [Burks] and probably the most proud of Alec, given our preseason, he is so talented offensively." said coach Tad Boyle. "He feels like he can make a play every time he has the ball."

His performances this season, and last, has many scouts labeling Burks as a definite lottery pick. He has the physical tools to excel at the next level, and the ceiling is sky high for the 6-foot-6 sophomore.

"I thought he [Alec Burks] played well," said Missouri's coach Mike Anderson. "He's a good player, looked like he was an all-league performer today."

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College Hoops: ESPN/USA Today Poll Snubs

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Last season, the ESPN/USA Today released its final poll and the Duke Blue Devils were featured as the No. 1 team after their National Championship victory.

Before the 2010-11' season started the Blue Devils were conceived the No. 1 team in the polls. On October 21, 2010 the ESPN/USA Today poll was released and to no ones surprise Duke was the No. 1 team overall and Michigan State followed at two.

The recent injury to Robbie Hummel allowed Kansas State to jump to the third spot in the poll.

Purdue dropped to No. 8, rather than being a lock in the top 5, while the Kentucky Wildcats cracked the top-10 of the coaches poll.

There are nine teams that are in the polls now that wasn't there when the final poll was released last year. However, 25-teams isn't enough. Here is my selection of the best teams that weren't featured in the coaches poll.

Colorado Buffaloes - The Buffs' returned their dynamic backcourt duo Cory Higgins, and Alec Burks that survived their first year together in the Big 12. This year, the Buffs' will not be at the bottom of the Big 12. With Burks, and Higgins, along with Marcus Relphorde, Austin Dufault and many other returning players the Buffs' are looking very impressive. Colorado was selected to finish ninth-overall in the Big 12 by the coaches. However, with the returning players along with Burks, and Higgins the Buffs' should finish much higher than that.

Brigham Young Cougars - Last year, when the final coaches poll was released the Cougars were No. 22 overall after losing to Kansas State in the Sweet-16. This season, the Cougars received 55 votes, but it wasn't enough to get them inside the top-25. The Cougars returned their superstar Jimmer Fredette who lead the team last year in scoring. With Fredette, the Cougars are, once again, conceived as a mid-major power in College Basketball.

San Diego State Aztecs - Last season, the Aztecs were granted an NCAA tournament berth after a 25-8 season. They did lose to Tennessee in the first-round but the young Aztecs did show potential with then-freshman Kawhi Leonard leading the way. This year, the Aztecs returned four-of-five starters from a season ago, and could surprise College Basketball this year. The Aztecs received 73-votes, and is right outside the top-25.

Murray State Racers - Murray State shocked then-No. 4 Vanderbilt in the first round of the tournament. They also were five seconds away from sinking the eventual runner-up Butler. The Racers were very impressive during the tournament and could emerge as a mid-major power this season. Murray State returned three-of-five starters from last year's second round team. Not to mention, their leader B.J. Jenkins is ready to lead the Racers to another NCAA tournament berth. The Racers received two votes by coaches.

West Virginia Mountaineers - West Virginia finished No. 3 overall in the last coaching poll released after the season ended. When the new poll was released last week, the Mountaineers weren't inside the top-25 and received only 49-votes. West Virginia lost two of their most talented players in Devin Ebanks, and Da'Sean Butler, but did acquire enough experience from last years squad that will should crack the top-25. Kevin Jones, who was an All-Big East selection, will lead the Mountaineers in the right direction.

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College Basketball: Alec Burks - the Player Nobody Talks About

Alec Burks was the Missouri Gatorade Player of the year back in his high school days after his senior season. However, that didn't stop him from coming into college unknown.

To name a few, Burks was recruited by notable teams like Kansas State, Colorado, and South Carolina. In the end he favored Colorado and that seemed to be the best fit.

Alec Burks had one of the best freshman seasons in Colorado Buffs' school history.

He scored 17 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out nearly two assist per outing. He was the second-leading scorer, and grasp the best shooting stoke; hitting more than half of his shots. 


He scored in double-figures every time he got on the hardwood. That's if you do not include the two-minute disaster when the Buffs' played Iowa State.

That alone shows scouts how much they overlooked Burks. Not to mention, he was the Freshman of the Year in the Big 12 conference, that hoisted NBA talent Xavier Henry, Ekpe Udoh, and Avery Bradley.


What intrigues me the most about Burks is his size and length. With that, comes above-average athleticism.

He was recruited out of high school as a point guard. But since his days in high school he has gotten a lot taller, so the Buffs' shifted him to the two guard position. He still had point guard intangibles, displaying great vision and decent passing ability.

He is definitely a huge steal in recruiting. Alec Burks is a very good player that doesn't get respect for what he has achieved.


First off, I want to let you know that Burks has a lot of upside. He continues to grow more and more as a basketball player, and after the freshman year he had, everybody is projecting him as a lottery pick in the 2011 NBA draft.

Burks is listed at 6'6'' which is ideal for a NCAA guard, better yet, a NBA guard.

He is very explosive when leaping off the ground. If he wasn't the most talented dunker on this Colorado team, then he was very close. In the open-court he displays some tenacious dunks and alley-oops to finish off the break or possession.

Also with his great leaping ability and explosiveness, comes great ability to finish around the rim.