Antonio Burks
Antonio Cornell Burks (born February 25, 1980 in Memphis, Tennessee) is an American professional basketball player, formerly in NBA. He is 6'0" (1.83 m) and 185 lb (88.5 kg). Burks played at Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, then one year at Hiwassee Junior College in Madisonville, Tennessee before joining the University of Memphis as an invited walk-on. He helped the Tigers win the NIT in 2002.[1] His senior year he was named the Conference USA player of the year.
After a career at the University of Memphis, he was a second round draft pick of the Orlando Magic in the 2004 NBA Draft. He was then traded to his hometown Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for cash considerations.[2] Burks averaged three points in 24 games in his rookie season. After appearing in four games for the Miami Heat during the 2006 preseason, he was signed by them on October 2, 2006.[2][3] but was waived on October 26,[3] prior to the beginning of the 2006–07 NBA season.[4]
Burks wore jersey #1 to pay tribute to his childhood idol Penny Hardaway.[5]
Burks signed with Lukoil Academic in Bulgaria in August 2007.[1] Prior to that, he was with Red Star Belgrade (KK Crvena zvezda) of the Serbian basketball league.[1][4] According to a eurobasket.com report, Burks was banned for a season from FIBA, because KK Crvena zvezda had informed them that Burks had broken the rules of his contract by leaving 20 days earlier.[6]
On July 20, 2009, Burks was shot by a robber in Memphis. Burks underwent several surgeries and recovered in the hospital.[7] The man who shot him was convicted of attempted second degree murder and other charges and was sentenced to 97 years in prison; he will be eligible for parole after serving 51 years. [8] He had been released on probation for another crime only a month before shooting Burks. [9]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c Lukoil Academic adds Antonio Burks
- ^ a b Burks bolts Grizzlies for Heat
- ^ a b HEAT Request Waivers on Antonio Burks and Daniel Horton
- ^ a b Old Tigers still roaring
- ^ basketballgearr.com
- ^ EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 11 November 2007
- ^ Antonio Burks shot during robbery, Commercial Appeal, 20 July 2009
- ^ Man Who Shot Antonio Burks Sentenced to 97 Years, Commercial Appeal, 8 September 2011
- ^ Darquan Swift Found Guilty in Antonio Burks Shooting, 1 July 2011
[edit] External links
- NBA.com official player profile
- Antonio Burks at Basketball-Reference.com
- Ex-Grizzlies guard Burks remains in critical condition
- Man Who Shot Antonio Burks Sentenced to 97 Years
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- 1980 births
- Living people
- African American basketball players
- American expatriate basketball people in Serbia
- American shooting survivors
- Basketball players from Tennessee
- Junior college men's basketball players in the United States
- Memphis Grizzlies players
- Memphis Tigers men's basketball players
- Orlando Magic draft picks
- People from Memphis, Tennessee
- Point guards
- KK Crvena zvezda players
