The Road to St. John’s Basketball: Justin Burrell Before the Red Storm

With his enormous frame and ability to do his will in the paint, Justin Burrell has been a physical presence since high school.

During his senior season at Our Savior Lutheran High School, as he is seen in the video above, he averaged 17 points and 14 rebounds per game.

Burrell took a prep year at Bridgton Academy (ME) and dominated again, averaging 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks. He then signed with former head coach Norm Roberts to head back to his hometown of New York City and play for the Red Storm.

In his sensational freshman season with St. John’s, Justin Burrell established himself as a big-bodied enforcer who came ready for the physicality of the Big East.

As a freshman, Burrell averaged nearly 11 points and 6 rebounds per game, earning the honor of being on the Big East All-Freshman Team.

Unfortunately, in late December of his sophomore season, he suffered a facial fracture and saw a slight drop in his minutes and production. He finished the season averaging 9 points and 4.5 rebounds.

His number dipped more in his junior season, but was still a major contributor, including his 14 point, 8 rebounds performance in a blowout win over Louisville at Madison Square Garden.

Under new head coach Steve Lavin in his senior season, Burrell took on a different role, but he fit in seamlessly and made an impact off the bench. His 6 points and nearly 5 rebounds per game earned him the Big East Sixth Man of the Year Award, bringing his career full-circle. He began his four years with the Red Storm by being recognized by the Big East, and he finished it that way, too.

He is now listed at 6’8″, 244 pounds, with shoulders like an NFL linebacker. Especially this past year, in his senior season, he has learned to harness his physical gifts and make himself a force on the block and on the glass. As a complement to Dwayne Polee II off the bench, he showed he understood and was willing to rebound and play defense to help his team to the NCAA Tournament.

Burrell has signed with Diamond Sports Agency and has worked out for the Clippers and Bobcats, among other teams. Video of Burrell’s workout with Charlotte can be found here. His size and bulk down low will be most attractive to pro teams and reports are that he performed well in his workouts.

Indications are that he will not get drafted, but he could make an NBA team as a free agent or have a bright future waiting for him overseas.