Alec Burks

Alec Burks Bio

Alec Burks (born July 20, 1991) is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected by the Utah Jazz as the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. Burks primarily plays the shooting guard position and has built a reputation as a versatile scorer and clutch performer throughout his career. Over more than a decade in the NBA, he has played for ten different franchises, showcasing his ability to contribute immediately to any team that signs him.

Early Life and Background

Alec Burks was born in Grandview, Missouri, on July 20, 1991, to parents Steve Burks and Dina Burks. He grew up in Grandview alongside his older brother, Steve Jr. From an early age, Burks showed a strong aptitude for basketball, developing the skills that would later carry him through his amateur and professional career.

Burks attended Grandview High School in his hometown, where he established himself as one of the top high school players in the state of Missouri. During his senior year, he averaged 23.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. His outstanding performance earned him the 2009 Gatorade Player of the Year award in Missouri. He was also recognized as the Kansas City Star and Metro Sports Player of the Year during his final high school season.

Burks committed to play college basketball at the University of Colorado during the November 2008 signing period, choosing the Buffaloes program over other interested schools. He was considered a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com, listed as the No. 49 shooting guard and No. 196 player in the nation in the class of 2009.

Path to Professional Basketball

Burks began his college career at the University of Colorado in 2009, playing for the Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball team. He made an immediate impact as a freshman, demonstrating the scoring ability and basketball instincts that would define his career. In his debut season, Burks was awarded the 2010 Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year, becoming the first player in Colorado history to earn that honor. He was also named to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team, signaling his arrival as one of the conference’s top young talents.

As a sophomore during the 2010-2011 season, Burks elevated his game to an even higher level. He was named to the All-Big 12 First Team, recognition of his status as one of the conference’s elite players. Statistically, he was the eighteenth-best scorer in Division I during that season, showcasing his ability to compete against the best collegiate players in the country. Remarkably, throughout his two seasons at Colorado, Burks missed only a single college game, demonstrating both his skill and durability.

Following his standout sophomore campaign, Burks made the decision to enter the 2011 NBA draft, forgoing his two remaining eligible college seasons. He was projected as a first-round draft pick despite playing just two seasons at Colorado, a testament to the talent and potential scouts saw in his game.

Alec Burks Career

Utah Jazz (2011-2018)

Burks was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. He signed his rookie scale contract with the team on December 9, 2011. The Jazz showed confidence in his development by exercising their third-year team option on October 25, 2012, and their fourth-year option on October 29, 2013, securing his services through the 2014-15 season.

On January 13, 2014, Burks scored a career-high 34 points in a 118-103 win over the Denver Nuggets, a milestone that highlighted his ability to take over games as a scorer. Later that year, on October 31, 2014, he signed a four-year, $42 million contract extension with the Jazz, reflecting the organization’s belief in his long-term potential.

The 2014-15 season was cut short when Burks was ruled out for the rest of the year due to a shoulder injury in December. He faced additional adversity during the 2015-16 season when he suffered an ankle fracture in late December, requiring surgery on his fractured left fibula and missing 50 games before returning in April 2016. Despite these setbacks, Burks demonstrated resilience, recording 11 points in 13 minutes off the bench in his return against the Los Angeles Clippers.

During the 2016-17 season, Burks underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left ankle in November and spent time with Utah’s D-League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars. He showed flashes of his scoring ability throughout the season, including a season-high 28 points against the Los Angeles Clippers in November 2017 and a 27-point performance against the Washington Wizards in December 2017, which marked his best string of scoring since February 2014.

Cleveland Cavaliers (2018-2019)

On November 29, 2018, Burks was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers along with two future second-round picks in exchange for Kyle Korver. He made his Cavaliers debut the following day, recording 15 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals in a loss to the Boston Celtics. Burks quickly proved his value to the team, delivering a game-winning dunk with 3.2 seconds remaining to give the Cavaliers a 99-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on December 3. He also recorded a season-high nine assists in a loss to the Sacramento Kings on December 7, and on January 13, 2019, he posted 17 points and a season-high 13 rebounds in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Sacramento Kings (2019)

On February 7, 2019, Burks was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal involving the Houston Rockets. He made his Kings debut the following day, contributing nine points and four rebounds in a win over the Miami Heat.

Golden State Warriors (2019-2020)

On July 11, 2019, Burks signed with the Golden State Warriors. He appeared in his Warriors debut on October 30 against the Phoenix Suns. On January 20, 2020, Burks scored a season-high 33 points alongside seven rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks in an overtime loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Later that month, he changed his jersey number from 8 to 20 as a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant, who had passed away four days earlier.

Philadelphia 76ers (2020)

On February 6, 2020, Burks was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers alongside Glenn Robinson III in exchange for three future second-round picks. He made his 76ers debut on February 11, contributing two points and two assists in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The 76ers faced the Boston Celtics during their first-round playoff series but were eliminated in a four-game sweep.

New York Knicks (2020-2022)

On November 22, 2020, Burks signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the New York Knicks. He made his Knicks debut on December 23, recording 22 points, four rebounds, and three assists in a loss to the Indiana Pacers. On May 13, 2021, he scored a season-high 30 points alongside ten rebounds in a win over the San Antonio Spurs. Burks played a key role in helping the Knicks qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2013, and during the postseason, he recorded 27 points in Game 1 of their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks. The Knicks ultimately lost the series in five games.

On August 18, 2021, Burks re-signed with the Knicks on a three-year, $30 million contract. On December 29, he tied his career high with 34 points in a win over the Detroit Pistons. The Knicks did not qualify for the playoffs during the 2021-22 season, finishing with a 37-45 record.

Detroit Pistons (2022-2024)

On July 11, 2022, Burks was traded to the Detroit Pistons alongside Nerlens Noel in exchange for draft rights and a protected second-round pick. He made his Pistons debut on November 11, recording 17 points in a loss to the New York Knicks. The Pistons exercised their team option on Burks for the 2023-24 season on June 29, 2023. On January 16, 2024, he tied his career high by scoring 34 points against the Washington Wizards, converting 11 of 17 field goal attempts.

Return to the Knicks (2024)

On February 8, 2024, Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic were traded back to the New York Knicks in exchange for Ryan Arcidiacono, Malachi Flynn, Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes, and two second-round picks.

Miami Heat (2024-2025)

On July 4, 2024, Burks signed with the Miami Heat. He joined a franchise known for its competitive culture and playoff tradition, bringing his veteran scoring ability and experience to the roster. Burks’ ability to create his own shot and contribute immediately made him a valuable addition to the Heat’s backcourt rotation.

Driving Style and Strengths

Burks is known for his ability to score from multiple levels, showing proficiency in driving to the basket, mid-range shooting, and three-point shooting. His craftiness in creating his own shot allows him to be effective both as a starter and a reserve. He has demonstrated the ability to take over games offensively when needed, as evidenced by his multiple 30-plus point performances throughout his career. His scoring versatility enables him to fit into various team offensive systems and lineups.

Notable Events and Milestones

Throughout his career, Burks has achieved several notable milestones, including scoring career highs of 34 points multiple times. His game-winning dunk against the Brooklyn Nets in December 2018 stands out as one of his most memorable clutch moments. His ability to deliver in critical moments has been a consistent theme throughout his journeyman career across ten NBA franchises.

Alec Burks Career Highlights

Burks has accumulated notable achievements across his amateur and professional career. His collegiate honors include being named the first-ever Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year in 2010, along with selections to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team and First-team All-Big 12. In the NBA, he has demonstrated consistent scoring ability, recording double-digit scoring totals across multiple seasons and teams.

Major Honors

His major honors include Big 12 Freshman of the Year (2010), Big 12 All-Rookie Team (2010), and First-team All-Big 12 (2011). In the NBA, he reached career highs of 34 points on multiple occasions and recorded numerous double-digit scoring performances across his ten-team career.

Other Notable Performances

Throughout his career, Burks has shown the ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories. His best statistical game came during the 2019-20 season with Golden State, when he recorded 33 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks in an overtime game against Portland. His career-high 13 rebounds with Cleveland in January 2019 demonstrated his ability to contribute on the glass despite primarily being known for his scoring.

Alec Burks Family

Family Background

Burks was born in Grandview, Missouri, to Steve Burks and Dina Burks. His father and mother have supported his basketball career throughout his journey from high school through his professional career. He also has an older brother named Steve Jr. who has been part of his support system throughout his life.

Personal Life

While Burks maintains a private personal life, he has been open about the importance of family throughout his career. His journey from Grandview, Missouri, to becoming a first-round NBA draft pick and a veteran of more than a decade in professional basketball reflects his dedication to the sport and his family.

2025 Season Performance

As of the 2024-2025 NBA season, Burks joined the Miami Heat following his second stint with the Knicks and time with the Detroit Pistons. His move to Miami represented another chapter in a journeyman career that has seen him play for ten different NBA franchises. The Heat, known for their culture of hard work and playoff competitiveness, provided Burks with an opportunity to contribute to a winning organization. His veteran experience and scoring ability made him a valuable piece for Miami’s rotation as they pursued their playoff objectives during the season.