Name: Trey Burke Age: 20 School: Michigan
Height: 6’0 Weight: 180 Projected Position: PG
2012-13 Stats:
18.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 6.7 apg, 1.6 spg, 2.2 tpg (35.3 minutes per game)
46.3 FG%, 80.1 FT%, 38.4 3FG%, 3:1 A/TO
56.9 TS%, 53.0 eFG%, 28.3 USG%, 37.3 AST%
SKILLS & ATHLETIC BREAKDOWN
Offense
Perimeter Shooting
Burke continues to improve as a perimeter shooter, and with some adjustments, he should be able to show it at the next level. Burke uses his legs well to get lift, has a high release point, and an improving release time. Because of his size, he often relies on his dribble and using screens to get clean looks, and he is excellent at doing both. He moves well without the ball, and does a good job catching and shooting, especially coming off of screens. He has good range, but he can rely too much on his perimeter shot, and his shot selection, while improved, can still use some work. Burke also needs to work on getting stronger so he doesn’t need to use so much leg power to get off his long-range jumper.
Penetration
Burke doesn’t have a great first step, but he uses his dribble well to create space and get defenders off-balance. He does a good job going to both his left and his right, and is not dependent on either hand to get to the basket. He is very good at keeping his head up and seeing how the defense rotates over to stop him. Because of his size, he will often fade away when looking to shoot around the basket, but he needs to do a better job looking to draw the contact and still get his shot off. He is uses his strength well to make room for his shot. The main area he needs to work on is getting a consistent floater/short jumper so he doesn’t end up getting stuck if the help defense is ready to stop him, and knowing when to avoid going too far into the lane.
Ballhandling
Burke is an excellent ballhandler, able to use both hands well and doing a very good job protecting the ball. He has a very good crossover and change of pace dribble, as well as a solid spin move, all which allow him to create space and get defenders off-balance. He is very good handling pressure and he anticipates trap situations very well. Burke’s patience may be his best attribute. He has a great ability to let things develop and make the proper reads in most situations.
Passing Skills
Burke has excellent court vision and is a very good passer. Burke keeps his head up and is constantly looking for teammates. He is very good at drawing help defenders to him and anticipating where to find an open teammate. Burke is excellent making reads off the pick-and-roll, and he can be very creative in finding ways to get passes to teammates. His passes are usually crisp and put in places where his teammates can make plays quickly. Burke needs to watch over-penetrating and getting caught without options, and he is still learning to read defensive matchups, though he has greatly improved. Burke is also very good at using pass fakes to draw the defense out of position.
Free Throw Shooting
Burke is a good free throw shooter with a consistent routine and good form at the line. Where Burke needs to do a better job is getting to the line in relation to the amount of shots he takes. As discussed above, he needs to look to invite contact and find ways to get his shot off while taking a hit. He has great composure when he needs to take free throws down the stretch of games, and he thrives on hitting the big shots.
Defense
Perimeter Defense (On/Off Ball)
Burke does a very good job positioning himself well on the ballhandler, and he has improved his lateral movement, though he still could increase his foot speed. He can be slow to anticipate his man’s movements and ends up chasing instead of moving with the ball. He can pressure the ballhandler, though it is best in short bursts. Burke reads screens well and does a good job getting over the top of screens against shooters. Burke understands angles well and he does a good job looking for spots to re-engage his man if he gets beat off the dribble. Off the ball, Burke positions himself well, though as on the ball, he needs to work on anticipating his man’s movements, especially on cuts towards the basket. He does an excellent job looking to deny or disrupt passing lanes. Burke also needs to work on navigating through screens off the ball, making sure not to let his man get a lot of room and finding ways to get through screens in the lane area. He does a good job choosing when to help or to double-team, and understands how to use the sidelines to help trap players. His defensive awareness has improved greatly this past year, and he can be seen directing his teammates on the defensive end. He closes well on shooters, but he needs to do a better job not falling for shot fakes.
Rebounding
Burke rebounds well for his size, doing a strong job anticipating missed shots and looking to beat people to the spot, especially on long rebounds. Burke does a good job grabbing rebounds, looking up court and starting his team in transition quickly.
Transition
Burke is very good in transition, both pushing the ball up court himself and running the wings. As the ballhandler on the break, Burke gets the ball up court quickly, and looks to get space to get to the basket. He is very good at keeping his head up, looking to draw the defense and finding open teammates. His straight-line speed isn’t great, but he uses his dribble and movements well to find the space he needs to get to the basket. If he gets the ball on the wing, he can be dangerous spotting up on the wing for a jumper.
Intangibles/Summary
Burke had one of the most decorated seasons in recent college basketball history, and it was well-deserved. There wasn’t a single part of his game which didn’t improve from his freshman season. He has the qualities of a great court leader, a very high basketball IQ, and he isn’t afraid to have the ball in his hands in big moments. Some may have issues with his size, but his skill is so advanced, you rarely notice it. He does need to tighten up on the defensive end, and he can be a better finisher once he gets into the lane, but Burke is the best point guard in this draft, and he should be ready to contribute very quickly in the NBA.
Draft Value: Early 1st – Early Lottery – #1-6
Burke would be a great fit for any team that runs a pick-and-roll heavy offense, but he is not limited to that type of offense. He is good in transition, and he can put points up quickly if necessary. The best point guard in this year’s Draft.
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