The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/246097
MICHIGAN IN THE PROS "I wouldn't say my feelings were hurt," Burke said. "Obviously it was a team I could have seen myself playing for, just because I played in Michigan and a lot of people expected them to pick me up at the time. It's a business. Things happen. They went in a different direction. "I kind of thought they would take me, but they didn't. Life moved on. I'm up here [in Utah] and I feel like I'm in a good position, having a lot of fun." Burke started 0 of 5 from the floor before finally hitting a triple in the second quarter against the Pistons, and he only got better from there. He ended the half with a drive and finish, the third quarter with a floater in the lane and ran the offense like a veteran. He put teammates in good position to score and showed why they love playing with him in Utah. "When we were getting closer to our pick it was, 'Man, we're going to get him,'" Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin said of drafting Burke. "Then, luckily for us, we were able to make a move for us to move up to get him. "It was great. First of all we needed a point guard, and to get a young point guard as successful as he was in college and have a chance to be the player that we think he can be in this league is great." Burke said he was still adjusting to the size and strength of the NBA players, but he showed many of the same qualities that made him the Naismith Award winner as college basketball's best player a year ago. He still keeps in touch with many of his former Michigan teammates and friends, including Tim Hardaway Jr. and Darius Morris, in the NBA and watches the Wolverines as much as he can. On and off the court he's the same Trey Burke, impressing even opposing coaches with his unselfish play. "From what I've seen, he's been pretty good," Pistons head coach Maurice Cheeks said. "He seems pretty heady for a rookie. He understands how to play. I'm impressed with the way he plays." Burke was averaging 30.1 minutes per game in 30 games played, and he led all NBA rookies in assists per game (5.7) and free throw shooting (90.5 percent). His minutes per game and scoring were second among rookies. Burke also enjoyed a career high in scoring in an 86-82 win over Orlando Dec. 18, scoring 30 points to go along with eight assists and seven rebounds. His 30-8-7 performance was the first of its kind by a rookie since the Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin did it April 13, 2011. FORMER WOLVERINES ON NBA ROSTERS Through Jan. 20 • Trey Burke (Played at U-M from 2011-13), PG, Utah Jazz: Was averaging 13.7 points, 5.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 30 games played … Has recorded four double-doubles and seven 20-point games. • Jamal Crawford (2000), SG, Los Angeles Clippers: Was averaging 17.3 points, 2.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds per