The man who helped anchor the paint at St. John’s for four years is headed to play professional basketball in the Far East.
Justin Burrell has signed to play for Yokohama B-Corsairs, located outside of Tokyo, Japan, becoming the third member of the Red Storm Class of 2011 to sign a professional contract.
Yokohama B-Corsairs is part of Japan’s second division, the B.J. League, and will feature three other American players. The team is coached by NBA alum Reggie Geary, a former Arizona Wildcat who played in the league for the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Burrell, a 6’9″, 244lb Bronx native, averaged 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds last season, winning the Big East’s Sixth Man of the Year Award. He became an integral piece off the bench for a St. John’s team that finished tied for third in the Big East and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament, the program’s first trip in nearly a decade.
“[Burrell] has been a great ambassador of St. John’s basketball on our campus and in the community,” said St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin. “He will have a terrific experience overseas. Justin has helped us greatly in recruiting future Johnnies, and the St. John’s family is pleased that he has received this well-deserved opportunity to play professional basketball.”
Fellow St. John’s graduates Paris Horne and Dwight Hardy round out the group of three members from the Red Storm Class of 2011 to sign contracts overseas. Horne will suit up for Germany’s BG Gottingen and Hardy for Pistoia Basket of Italy.
Prior to the NBA Draft, Burrell worked out for a number of NBA teams, including the Charlotte Bobcats and Los Angeles Clippers. JohnnyJungle.com took a look at Burrell’s possible future in the NBA a few months ago. Check it out here.
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