Antonio Burks
Encyclopedia
Antonio Cornell Burks 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
. 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. 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. but was waived on October 26, prior to the beginning of the 2006–07 NBA season.
Burks wore jersey #1 to pay tribute to his childhood idol Penny Hardaway
.
Burks signed with Lukoil Academic
in Bulgaria
in August 2007. Prior to that, he was with Red Star Belgrade
(KK Crvena zvezda) of the Serbian basketball league
. 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.
On July 20, 2009, Burks was shot by a robber in Memphis. Burks underwent several surgeries and recovered in the hospital. 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. He had been released on probation for another crime only a month before shooting Burks.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player, formerly in NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. He is 6'0" (1.83 m) and 185 lb (88.5 kg). Burks played at Booker T. Washington High School
Booker T. Washington High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
Booker T. Washington High School is a public secondary school located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Part of the Memphis City Schools, it serves grades 9-12. The school gained national attention when U.S...
in Memphis, then one year at Hiwassee Junior College
Hiwassee College
Hiwassee College is a private, accredited college located in Madisonville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1849, the college offers associate degrees as well as four year degrees, The majority of its associate degree graduates go on to attend, and complete, four-year...
in Madisonville, Tennessee
Madisonville, Tennessee
Madisonville is a city in Monroe County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 3,939 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Monroe County and the location of Hiwassee College.-Geography:...
before joining the University of Memphis
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
as an invited walk-on. He helped the Tigers win the NIT in 2002
2002 National Invitation Tournament
-Semifinals & Finals:*Third Place - Temple 65, Syracuse 64...
. 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
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
in the 2004 NBA Draft
2004 NBA Draft
The 2004 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2004 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm . In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible...
. He was then traded to his hometown Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
in exchange for cash considerations. Burks averaged three points in 24 games in his rookie season. After appearing in four games for the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
during the 2006 preseason, he was signed by them on October 2, 2006. but was waived on October 26, prior to the beginning of the 2006–07 NBA season.
Burks wore jersey #1 to pay tribute to his childhood idol Penny Hardaway
Penny Hardaway
Anfernee Deon "Penny" Hardaway is a former American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association , specializing as a small forward, shooting guard, and point guard. His most productive years came in his days as a member of the Orlando Magic as well as the early...
.
Burks signed with Lukoil Academic
PBC Lukoil Academic
PBC Lukoil Academic are a Bulgarian professional basketball club based in the capital Sofia. They play their home games at the Universiade Hall or at the Pravets sports complex....
in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
in August 2007. Prior to that, he was with Red Star Belgrade
KK Crvena zvezda
Košarkaški klub Crvena zvezda is a professional basketball club based in Belgrade, Serbia. Its name Crvena zvezda means Red Star and it's part of the Red Star Belgrade sports society ....
(KK Crvena zvezda) of the Serbian basketball league
Serbian Superliga
Serbian SuperLiga is a Serbian professional league for football clubs. At the top of the Serbian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 16 clubs, operating a system of promotion and relegation with the Serbian First League...
. According to a eurobasket.com report, Burks was banned for a season from FIBA
International Basketball Federation
The International Basketball Federation, more commonly known as FIBA , from its French name Fédération Internationale de Basketball, is an association of national organizations which governs international competition in basketball...
, because KK Crvena zvezda had informed them that Burks had broken the rules of his contract by leaving 20 days earlier.
On July 20, 2009, Burks was shot by a robber in Memphis. Burks underwent several surgeries and recovered in the hospital. 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. He had been released on probation for another crime only a month before shooting Burks.