By ADAM ZAGORIA
Kentucky has landed a pledge from former Ole Miss commit Jordan Burks.
The 6-foot-9, 190-pound small forward from Decatur, Ala., initially committed to Ole Miss but changed course after Kermit Davis was fired and replaced by Chris Beard.
“I’ve always been big on Kentucky because of the atmosphere and the culture,” Burks said. “I’ve been watching since I was a kid and seeing all of the players develop and progress into pros and compete for titles every year made this a place I wanted to play at.
“I wanted to play with the top players in the country at the top basketball school in the country and develop my game under Coach Calipari, while working every day to win the national championship,” Burks said. “I want to help this team win a national championship and create a bond with my teammates on and off the court. I want to prepare myself to be in the best shape and be the most productive I can be for this team.”
Burks was an explosive scorer at Overtime Elite and led the league with 27.1 points per game in 2022-23. He also contributed 7.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Burks scored 20 or more points in all but one game and had a season-high of 42 against OTE competition.
“Jordan has good size and has the ability to be a prolific scorer,” coach John Calipari said. “His length allows him to play multiple positions, be dynamic in the open court, rebound at both ends and he can put it on the floor and score in a variety of ways. Jordan has challenged himself against the best of the best and wanted to continue to be pushed at the next level. I really love his toughness and his upside is tremendous, and that his dream since he was young was to play at Kentucky! I’m looking forward to getting in the gym and helping him take his game to new levels.”
Burks suited up for Hillcrest Prep with Overtime Elite and connected on 46.7% of his field-goal attempts, 26.7% from 3-point range and 67% from the charity stripe. Burks began his high school career at Heritage Christian in his hometown and also suited up for Southern California Academy (California) before his move to OTE. In the full 40-game schedule for Hillcrest this season Burks averaged 28.2 points per game and connected on 41% from 3-point range. He is a consensus three-star prospect and measured at 6-foot-9 and 190 pounds with OTE. “He will win more,” said former Southern California Academy coach Chris Chaney, now at the Academy of Central Florida. “I loved Jordan. Long athletic wing that brings toughness and competitive winning attitude to his team. Can score at all three levels and just keeps improving.” Ranked the No. 37 small forward in the Class of 2023, he joins the No. 1-ranked recruiting class of Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw, Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard. Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookWelcome to the family, Jordan Burks!#LaFamilia pic.twitter.com/MFqgkpXc7w
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) June 12, 2023
