VITALS: 6-0, 195, Memphis OVERVIEW: Burks completed a three-year college career at Memphis, turning in a solid senior campaign. Burks averaged 16.0 points and 5.5 assists for the Tigers, who won the Conference USA regular-season title. Burks is known for his quickness and his speed was a major reason for his success at college. The question is whether he can translate that to the NBA, where the games feature half-court oriented attacks. Burks finally showed signs of an outside shot this past season, connecting on 41 percent from the arc. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Burks is projected as a mid-to-late second-rounder. He did nothing spectacular at Chicago but played well enough to create some new interest and keep existing interests. Even if he goes undrafted, however, he is a near lock to be on somebody's training camp roster. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Milt Palacio, Mike James COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Maurice Williams, Erick Barkley ROLE PROJECTION: Reserve POSITIVES: Burks has NBA-caliber quickness and can create his own shot off the dribble. He has a strong body that absorbs contact when finishing, is an excellent outside shooter and a bothersome defender, often collecting strips. As a point guard, Burks' decision-making and ballhandling abilities are impressive. He understands how to spark an offense without turning the ball over. SHORTCOMINGS: To have a career in the NBA at just six feet, a player must specialize in at least one facet of the game. Although Burks does everything well, he might not be dominant enough in any one area to crack the lineup. If Burks had more size, his value as a prospect would be far greater. WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "Very interesting. He had a good (Chicago) camp, is quick and can get in the paint, pretty good at making plays (for his teammates)." - Dallas Mavericks president Don Nelson
