By ZACH SMART
Jordan Burks was hearing from LSU, Georgetown, NC State, Miami, and Michigan State, yet a close connection with Ole Miss ultimately propelled the 2023 Southern California Academy wing to pull the trigger.
Ole Miss learned about Burks at the 11th hour, after his recruitment had already taken off.
Ole Miss assistant coach Brock Morris trekked out to Florida to see the multi talented 6-foot-9 wing last spring. He was offered and wound up committing shortly afterward.
“Ole Miss just felt like a second home to me really,” said Burks, who will be one of many highly touted recruits in this weekend’s Prep National Showcase in New Haven, CT. “What attracted me about them is that they treated me like a person first, not just a basketball player or a recruit. They wanted to see me develop as a young man first and foremost and cared for me as a person. It didn’t feel like it was just business.”
The opportunity to make an immediate meaningful impact also appealed to Burks, who oozes of pro potential with vertical explosiveness, two-way versatility, a 7-foot-2 wingspan, and the ability to see the floor and create plays.
“Seniors (currently at Ole Miss) are leaving after this year, fifth year guys are leaving after this year, there’s the opportunity to come in and do my thing right away,” Burks explained.
“I’ve already developed a relationship with (2023 senior and Ole Miss commit) Josh Hubbard. We’ve talked on the phone and we just want to achieve something great and do something special over there.”
Burks, who was offered by Florida State and Florida as a junior while at Central Pointe Christian Academy in Kissimmee, Fla., is known as a prolific scorer.
He averaged over 25 points at CPCA last season while playing under Christian Dalmau, the former Puerto Rican professional who played alongside Carlos Arroyo.
Burks even had a 46-point game at the school, which he spent half a semester at. He was the focal point on which a young, inexperienced team leaned on heavily.By the time he committed to Ole Miss, Burks had already been quite well traveled.
The first semester of his junior year, he was at American Collegiate Academy in Clearwater, FL. Then, right before the second semester, he bolted for Central Pointe. Burks also spent some time playing for TLAP Academy in Port St. Lucie, FL.
To better prepare himself for the next level and sustain stability following a campus to campus hoops Odyssey, Burks transferred to Southern California Academy, just outside of Los Angeles.
“Being around better players and high level guys, I’ve really just been trying to dominate my position and adapt to a structured system,” Burks said.
“I’m just staying focused on being a 3-and-D guy, being a great team player and learning to play with the pieces around me.”
These pieces include 7-foot five star 2023 recruit Isaiah Miranda, New Zealand’s hyper athletic Carlin Davidson and high rising Louisville native James Jewell, an underrated mid major plus prospect.
The discipline Burks describes is a pre-requisite for playing in Southern California coach Chris Chaney‘s system.
Chaney, who has more wins than any active prep coach (850+), has nurtured the development of NBA players such as Hassan Whiteside, Jordan Hill, Shawne Williams during his long career.
“Playing for Coach Chaney, you can’t do anything but listen and learn,” Burks, who is from Alabama, explained.
“He believes in me and knows I can make it to the highest level. He keeps it straightforward and doesn’t sugar coat anything. Coach (Kermit) Davis, he told me if I can get through playing for Chaney, and I take care of everything this year and then at Ole Miss, I’ll be ready for that top level.”
A team-centric environment, one which simulates the college experience, has been a major upgrade for the nomadic Burks.
The uncertainty of the last few months, when he was linked to multiple Florida prep programs prior to the start of the academic year, is over.
Burks said he’s keeping team goals and aspirations in order, with his eyes pasted on one prize and one prize only while at Southern Cal.
“We want that national championship this year,” Burks said. “We’re coming for it.”
The Prep National Showcase, regarded as the unofficial start to the 2022-23 prep campaign, will take place Nov 18-20 at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven.
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram
