Freshman Star In The Big 12

     If one were to ask an average fan, who is the leading freshman scorer in the Big 12, that fan would probably guess it was either Avery Bradley or Xavier Henry. Those two players were both McDonalds All Americans, and they are both having excellent seasons. However, Alec Burks, from Colorado, is the leading freshman scorer in the Big 12. If you have never heard of Burks, you are not alone. Burks is one of the best kept secrets in the country.

    The freshman from Grandview, Mo is averaging 17.2 points per game. Burks is one of the top freshman scorers in the nation. He is averaging more points per game than John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, and Derrick Favors. He is also the only freshman in the country to score double figures in every game this season. Sources near the program have said that Burks is the best freshman that the Buffs have had since Chauncey Billups. ESPN's Fran Fraschilla is a believer as he said, “Though it's not reflected in Buffs' record, KC frosh Alec Burks is one of best rookies in Big 12 at 16 a game. Athletic and efficient scorer," on his Twitter page. NBA scouts have also taken notice of Burks’ success. Nbadraft.net has Burks going number 4 in the 2011 draft.

    Now, your next question may be; How did Colorado get this guy? Burks was not heavily recruited out of high school. He had only two scholarship offers from major schools. He chose CU over Kansas State because he said he loved the school when he came on his official visit. The reason that so many schools past up on him is because of his size. Well, he's 6'6 185 pounds, which is great size. The problem is, when schools started looking at him his junior year, he was only 6'2. For this reason, many teams looked over him. Colorado coach Jeff Bzdelik, who went to a basketball summer camp which Burks was at, told the Denver Post,"Alec made a couple of moves right in front of me, about 10 feet off the baseline. I thought those moves were really special. From that moment on, we recruited him hard." By Burks’ senior year in high school he had grown 2 inches. By that time, major college coaches started taking notice, but it was too late. Burks had already signed with Colorado.

    Since he arrive in Boulder this fall he grew two more inches as he is now 6'6. Burks looks to have an excellent future ahead of him if he stays healthy. Burks' teammate, Cory Higgins' is also a star for the Buffaloes. Higgins may one day have a shot in the NBA as well. Higgins' father Rod played 13 years in the NBA. Rod Higgins told the Denver Post than Burks' skill set is "off the charts." Not a bad praise from a guy who spent over a decade in the NBA.