Antonio Burks (basketball, born 1980)

Antonio Cornell Burks (born February 25, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Europe. At 6'0" (1.83 m), he played as a guard. 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.

This article is about the NBA player. For the ABA player, see Antonio Burks (basketball, born 1982).
Antonio Burks
Personal information
Born (1980-02-25) February 25, 1980
Memphis, Tennessee
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolBooker T. Washington
(Memphis, Tennessee)
College
NBA draft2004 / Round: 2 / Pick: 36th overall
Selected by the Orlando Magic
Playing career2004–2009
PositionPoint guard
Number1
Career history
2004–2006Memphis Grizzlies
2006–2007Crvena zvezda
2007–2008Lukoil Academic
2009Czarni Słupsk
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

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 later played with KK Crvena zvezda of the Serbian basketball league.[1][4] He signed with Lukoil Academic in Bulgaria in August 2007.[1] 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.[5]

On July 20, 2009, Burks was shot by a robber in Memphis. Burks underwent several surgeries and recovered in the hospital.[6] 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.[7] He had been released on probation for another crime only a month before shooting Burks.[8]

Burks became an assistant coach for LeMoyne-Owen College in 2010.[9]

Burks formed a lawn care business, Antonio Burks Star Maintenance and Lawn Services, in 2013.[10]

References
  1. Lukoil Academic adds Antonio Burks Archived October 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  2. Burks bolts Grizzlies for Heat
  3. HEAT Request Waivers on Antonio Burks and Daniel Horton
  4. Old Tigers still roaring Archived July 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  5. EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 11 November 2007
  6. Antonio Burks shot during robbery, Commercial Appeal, 20 July 2009
  7. Man Who Shot Antonio Burks Sentenced to 97 Years Archived April 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Commercial Appeal, 8 September 2011
  8. Darquan Swift Found Guilty in Antonio Burks Shooting Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, 1 July 2011
  9. Gunshot killed lucrative career, former Memphis Tiger Antonio Burks testifies
  10. Antonio Burks winning with new business
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