Justin Burrell

Former St. John’s Forward Justin Burrell Signs to Play in Japan

August 26, 2011 by Daniel Martin Leave a Comment

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.

NCAA BASKETBALL: FEB 05 St. John's at UCLA — Burrell becomes the third member of the Red Storm from the Class of 2011 to sign a professional deal. (Photo: Icon/SMI Select)

“I am extra excited. I can’t wait to be in a new country and a new city and begin a new chapter in my life.” said Burrell in a press release. “I will never forget St. John’s and the opportunities it gave me and the people I’ve met.”

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.

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

June 20, 2011 by Daniel Martin Leave a Comment

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.

Scouting St. John’s: Are Justin Burrell and Justin Brownlee ready for the NBA?

June 3, 2011 by Daniel Martin 2 Comments

According to St. John’s Sports Information Director Mark Fratto, five graduated former members of the Red Storm currently have “representation” and are, assumedly, looking to play professional basketball. Here Johnny Jungle takes a look at how the first two may fit into the pro game in the first installment of a three-part series, Scouting St. John’s:

Justin Brownlee

NCAA BASKETBALL: MAR 03 St John's at Seton Hall — Indications are that Brownlee will go undrafted, but he could be a good, versatile fit for an NBA team. (Photo: Icon/SMI Select)

Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv reported Thursday that Brownlee would work out for five NBA teams in the coming weeks: the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 8th, the Atlanta Hawks June 13th, the Charlotte Bobcats June 15th, the Miami Heat June 17th, and the Los Angeles Lakers June 19th. During the season, he was mentioned in a number of NBA Mock Drafts, but has since slipped off.

Brownlee averaged just over 12 points and 5 rebounds for the Red Storm last season and, more importantly for his professional aspirations, showed impressive versatility for his size.

To his credit, he passes very well for a forward and has showed that his fall-away jumper within 12-feet is solid. He was also the most consistent finisher at the rim for the Red Storm last season. He is more athletic than some scouts give him credit for, as we saw from his junior college days. The biggest thing he would bring to an NBA team would be his versatility offensively, where he could work in the post or on the perimeter.

At 6’7” tall and 215 pounds, he is still working on the polished handle that would make him a true NBA small forward, and is a bit undersized to be a true power forward. This would hurt him mostly on the defensive end, where he may not have the quickness to defend some small forwards, but not large enough to body-up larger forwards in the post. He most likely will not get drafted, but could work his way onto a team as a free agent. Also, playing European basketball for a few seasons could be an option.

Justin Burrell

Earlier this month, Burrell announced via his Twitter page that he would be working out for 20 NBA teams at an event showcasing athletes signed to the agency that represents him, BDA Sports Management.

If there is one thing that is undeniable about Justin Burrell, it is that he has an NBA-ready body. Not only is he 6’8”, 244 pounds, but he has learned how to use his bulk to impact a game in the post.

Winning Big East Sixth Man of the Year this past season, Burrell reemerged in full force from the facial injury he suffered his sophomore season and showed the promise that he first showed as a freshman.

Burrell was the big-bodied enforcer off the bench who stood in contrast to the lanky starter Dwayne Polee II in 2010-2011, and he could play a similar role on an NBA team in the future. His rebounding instinct and toughness are building blocks that scouts will look for in the process of evaluating him.

The past three seasons, he was never truly dominant in the post, but showed flashes of strong play down low. Against Pitt at the Garden this year, as part of a 15 point, 8 rebound performance, he capitalized offensively every time Gary McGhee came out of the game. Steve Lavin began running the offense through Burrell and he outplayed Pitt big man Dante Taylor on multiple possessions.

The intangibles are in line for Burrell, too. He is well-spoken and handles himself with class in the media, which teams should take notice of. It looks like he, as well, will not be drafted, but could get some looks from teams as a free agent. If he does not play in the states, he could find a good fit overseas, where his size would be even more attractive to teams.

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Check back to JohnnyJungle.com, as we profile two more aspiring professionals from St. John’s Class of 2011, Dwight Hardy and Paris Horne.

Hardy named AP Honorable Mention, Burrell in dunk contest

March 29, 2011 by Daniel Martin Leave a Comment

In a season that already included three Big East Player of the Week awards and a spot on the All-Big East First Team, senior guard Dwight Hardy has added another impressive accolade to his resume.

hardyburrell — Hardy and Burrell will make the trip to Houston to compete in the 3-Point and Dunk contests, respectively. (photo: flickr.com)

The 6’2” Bronx native has been named an Honorable Mention AP All-American, the national media panel announced Monday night. He becomes the first St. John’s player to be named an AP All-American since Erick Barkley received the same honor in 1999-2000.

Hardy’s team-leading 18.3 points per game ranked fourth in the Big East, increasing his production after Coach Steve Lavin’s early-season decision to move the senior from shooting guard to point guard.

“Point guard gives me a better chance to shoot off the dribble,” Hardy said of transitioning to a relatively unfamiliar position. “[The coaches] want[ed] me to be aggressive at all times.”

And though the Johnnies’ NCAA Tournament run ended with a loss to Gonzaga, Hardy will still make a trip to the Final Four in Houston, as he was selected to compete in the State Farm College 3-Point Championships on March 31st. He will be traveling with teammate Justin Burrell, who was selected to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest.

Hardy shot 35% from long range on the year, averaging nearly two 3-pointers per game. In his two-year career at St. John’s, he shot nearly 37% from 3-point range. He will also take part in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-Star Game on April 1st in Houston.

Competing alongside Hardy will be LaceDarius Dunn of Baylor, Andrew Goudelock of College of Charleston, Ravern Johnson of Mississippi State, Mickey McConnell of Saint Mary’s, Kansas Jayhawk Brady Morningstar, Kansas State’s Jacob Pullen and Mississippi’s Chris Warren.

Burrell, known as a strong, powerful dunker, will compete in the Slam Dunk Contest after receiving the Big East Sixth Man Award earlier this season. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds off the bench for the Red Storm in 2010-2011.

The dunk competition will also include Pittsburgh’s Gilbert Brown, Will Coleman of Memphis, East Tennessee State’s Justin Tubbs, Illinois College’s Jacob Tucker, San Diego State Aztec Billy White, Darnell Wilks of Cincinatti, and UNC Asheville’s John Williams.

The festivities will air on March 31^st at 9pm ET on ESPN2.

Big East Honors Burrell, Hardy

March 7, 2011 by Daniel Martin 1 Comment

One day after Dwight Hardy was named to the All-Big East First Team, the accolades continue to roll in for the Johnnies.

The Big East Conference honored Red Storm seniors Justin Burrell and Dwight Hardy on Monday, with Burrell receiving the Sixth Man Award, and Hardy being named the conference’s Most Improved Player.

Averaging 17.9 points per game, up from 10.5 in his junior season, Hardy has been the catalyst for the Johnnies all year, putting up scoring performances of 20 points or more 13 times and reaching the 30 point mark four times.

“With so many great players in the Big East, it is a privilege to be considered the ‘Most Improved Player,” Hardy said. “I spent many hours in the gym working on my game, and this award recognizes the progress I’ve made. My coaching staff and teammates really believe in me, and have helped to make me a better player.”

Burrell, who has returned to the hard-nosed style of play on display during his freshman season, has been a rebounding and defensive force off the bench for the Red Storm.

Averaging 6.6 points and 5 rebounds per game on the season, Burrell was key in St. John’s 80-68 victory over Marquette February 15^th, notching a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

He also had a big performance against #4 Pittsburgh, taking advantage when Pitt big man Gary McGhee was on the bench, tallying his second-best scoring game of the season with 15 points and 6 rebounds.

“This is really exciting, getting this award was one of the goals that Coach Lavin and I talked about from the beginning of the year,” said Burrell. “This could have never happened without my teammates and our unbelievable coaching staff. Coach Lav and Coach Dunlap have been with me from the beginning of the year, and they deserve the credit.”

As a team this week, following a loss to Seton Hall and a win over South Florida, the Red Storm fell from #15 in both polls to #17 in the AP Poll and #18 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ Poll.

In Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology, St. John’s is ranked as a #4 seed, slated to play a fellow metro-area team, Iona.

The Big East Tournament begins Tuesday and St. John’s will be watching, as they take on the winner of Seton Hall/Rutgers on Wednesday at 2pm.