At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today’s edition will highlight KJ Burke of Ragsdale High School.
We’ve seen Burke several times, stating, “Although the Tigers were missing one of their key pieces, Burke was quick to step up and make a huge impact in this showing. He’s a knockdown three-point shooter who can spot-up or reliably attack off the bounce. Burke can initiate, contain his assignment defensively, and rebound nicely for his size. He’s able to force turnovers and make his presence felt in transition.†Later followed by our Patrick O’Brien stating, “Burke was the sparkplug for his team to start the day. The 6’2 guard was able to make an impact on both sides of the floor. Whether it was playing with energy, making those extra hustle plays, and bringing an impact defensively at times. He also was able to attack and get downhill in transition, being a strong creator and not settling. Overall, really liked his impact on his team to start the day.
Since then, Burke continues to showcase the makings of a potentially useful addition at the next level. He’s a polished offensive player who can shoot, create, and operate without the ball in his hands. Burke has shown the ability to apply pressure from all levels, but also defers well and looks to find open teammates whenever possible. He plays with consistent energy as a defender and rebounder, and is capable of outworking opponents for extra opportunities. Burke does a lot of things well on the court, so it’ll be interesting to see what programs get involved over the coming months.