But Burrell isn’t only a whiz on the diamond and hardcourt. He’s also competitive on the greens.
Last week, he played a round with crack parbuster Tommy Manotoc, Barako assistant team manager Andy Jao and Luigi Yulo at the Canlubang course. Jao described Burrell as "a big hitter" and shot 10 over par with no birdies. So who won? Jao sank a birdie putt on the last hole to finish on top.
When Burrell arrived last Sept. 13, his luggage was missing. But his golf set showed up on the carousel so he wasn’t too agitated. Besides, he packed a pair of sneakers in his carryon garment bag. The missing luggage eventually appeared and was brought to his Gallerias Suite room the next day–in time for his Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) debut against Sta. Lucia Realty.
Burrell, 32, couldn’t ask for a better deal here. He’s making good money playing hoops. He gets to play golf. And his fiancée Deetta Jones flew in yesterday to keep him company.
And Red Bull couldn’t be happier with Burrell in the lineup.
Barako coach Yeng Guiao said Burrell fits the team to a T. He plays smart and he plays to win. Burrell couldn’t care less about his personal stats. He’s capable of scoring over 30 points a game but his priority is leading Red Bull to victory not feeding his ego. He’d rather get his local teammates involved in the game–on both ends–than jack up the numbers across his name. Teamwork is his formula for success–not going solo.
In the Sta. Lucia game, Burrell held the usually high-scoring Nate James to two points in the second period and six in the first half. James eventually shot 19 but nine came in the fourth quarter when the outcome was already settled. Burrell’s defense was clearly outstanding. He had six steals to go with 19 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in 38 minutes. And Burrell didn’t mind not being the team’s top scorer who was DaVonn Harp with 25 points. The important thing was Red Bull won, 89-74, with relative ease.
Burrell followed up his impressive showing against the Realtors with another quality performance in Red Bull’s 91-79 decision over Alaska last Sunday. He scored 26 points to lead the Barako attack.
Burrell comes from a family of athletes. His father Sam was a three-sport high school star and his mother Gertrude played softball. His brother Abbott, who is four years older, was a defensive back and tri-captain of the University of Connecticut football varsity. His sister Evelyn was a track standout at Yale.
As a high school senior in 1988-89, Burrell averaged 23.7 points, 15.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 4.5 blocked shots. He turned down a six-figure contract from the Mariners to play hoops at Connecticut where varsity coach Jim Calhoun called him "the most natural, the most instinctive rebounder I’ve ever seen." TV broadcaster Dick Vitale said, "Nothing he does amazes me anymore, he’s a phenomenal athlete."
In four years at Connecticut, Burrell hit at a 13.1 clip and grabbed 6.3 rebounds an outing. He shot .357 from three-point range. As a sophomore, Burrell led the NCAA in steals. He finished his collegiate career as the only player in NCAA history to compile 1,500 points, 750 rebounds, 275 assists and 300 steals.
A varsity teammate was former PBA import Nantambu Willingham.
Aside from Burrell, other Connecticut players who went on to see action in the NBA were Ray Allen, Caron Butler, Rip Hamilton, Travis Knight, Clifford Robinson, Donyell Marshall, Tate George and Jake Voskuhl.
Burrell played eight years for Charlotte, Golden State, New Jersey and Chicago in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He joined Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen on the Bulls’ 1998 title squad.
Burrell is the 38th NBA first round draft choice ever to play in the PBA. Last year, four ex-NBA first round picks saw action as imports–Rodrick Rhodes (FedEx), Johnny Taylor (Sta. Lucia), Mario Bennett (San Miguel) and Chris Morris (Purefoods). Others in the elite list are Byron Houston (Pop Cola, 1997), Dennis Hopson (Purefoods, 1996), Leon Wood (Purefoods, 1994), Mitchell Wiggins (Tondena, 1994), Mike McGee (Sta. Lucia, 1993), Wes Matthews (Ginebra San Miguel, 1991), Freeman Williams (Tanduay, 1987), Michael Young (Manila Beer, 1986, Great Taste, 1987), Rob Williams (Tanduay, 1986), George Trapp (U-Tex, 1979) and Glenn McDonald (U-Tex, 1978-79-80), Manhattan 1983).