Without question it has been a unique ride for 6’7” Austin Burnette. The summer between his sophomore and junior years, Burnette was on top of the recruiting world. He was picking up offers left and right, and playing out of his mind on the Adidas Gauntlet.
He then picked up an offer from Rutgers, and went on a visit. He fell in love with the campus, with Eddie Jordan, and with the system he would be running. Burnette committed soon after the visit to Rutgers. He remained committed there throughout the high school season, throughout the AAU season.
Then after AAU, just before the high school season began, the two parted ways. Burnette had been off the board for a while and the other schools recruiting him had filled up at his position. Most schools had marked Burnette off their boards and many were not able to evaluate him, just because he fell off their radar.
Burnette had a good senior year at Broughton High School, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He averaged double figure to go along with 7 boards and 2.5 assists per outing. Which comes in to his skill set. Burnette is a system face up four man. He moves very well without the ball and is almost automatic from 8’ to 18’. Burnette can attack the rim from the high post, push the break, and passes the ball very well.
At Hargrave, Burnette has already trimmed 10 pounds off his frame. His constant motion on offense will leave him in great spots off pick and roll situations. On the first day of practice, Georgia Southern, James Madison, and South Alabama all made their way to see him. Each school left impressed.
Look for Burnette’s name to start picking up traction again. People know he is available, people will be in the gym to see him, and he is determined to make an impression.