For the Australian rules footballer, see Chris Burgess (footballer).
Chris Burgess
PositionAssistant coach
Height6 ft
Height in10
Weight lbs244.2
LeagueBig 12
TeamBYU Cougars
Birth dateApril 23, 1979 (age 47)
Birth placeProvo, Utah, U.S.
High school
College
Draft year2002
Career start2002
Career end2013
Years 12002
Team 1Idaho Stampede
Years 22003
Team 2Tuborg Sports Club
Years 32004–2005
Team 3Cairns Taipans
Years 42005
Team 4San Miguel Beermen
Years 52005–2006
Team 5Cairns Taipans
Years 62006
Team 6Criollos de Caguas
Years 72006–2007
Team 7Mobis Phoebus
Years 82007–2008
Team 8TTNet Beykoz
Years 92008
Team 9Gigantes de Carolina
Years 102008
Team 10BC Donetsk
Years 112008–2009
Team 11Erdemirspor
Years 122009–2010
Team 12Al Wasl
Years 132010
Team 13Sharjah
Years 142010–2011
Team 14Zastal Zielona Góra
Years 152011–2012
Team 15Trefl Sopot
Years 162012
Team 16Guaynabo Mets
Years 172012–2013
Team 17Baniyas
Years 182013
Team 18Al Ahli
Years 192013
Team 19Al Shabab
Cyears 12015–2019
Cteam 1Utah Valley (assistant)
Cyears 22019–2022
Cteam 2BYU (assistant)
Cyears 32022–2024
Cteam 3Utah (assistant)
Cyears 42024–present
Cteam 4BYU (assistant)
Highlights

As player:

Chris Burgess (born April 23, 1979) is an American basketball coach who is currently serving as an assistant coach of the Brigham Young University (BYU) men's basketball team. Burgess has held assistant coaching roles at three universities in Utah, including three years at BYU (from 2019 to 2022) prior to rejoining the staff in 2024. As a player, Burgess played power forward and center and spent a decade playing professionally in the U.S. and internationally.

College career

Burgess was recruited by several high-profile programs out of high school, as the No. 1 recruit in the country and a McDonald's All-American.[1] He narrowed his choices to Duke and BYU. He ultimately signed with the Blue Devils, later explaining that the opportunity to play for coach Mike Krzyzewski was a major deciding factor.[2] Burgess played at Duke for two years, reaching the Elite Eight in 1998 and playing in the championship game in 1999. During both seasons, Burgess played a supporting role off the bench, averaging (freshman) 4.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, shooting 50.8% from the field, and playing 12.5 minutes a game; and averaging (sophomore) 5.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, shooting 61.4% from the field, and playing 15.6 minutes a game.[3]

Burgess subsequently transferred to the Utah, but he suffered three different injuries.[4][5] He averaged 7.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and shot 53.5% from the field while averaging 21.6 minutes a game his junior year. He averaged a team high in 5 statistical categories with 13.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and shot 66% from the field while averaging 25.5 minutes a game his senior year.[3]

Professional playing career

Burgess was not drafted into the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played for the Idaho Stampede of the Continental Basketball Association, after which he spent a decade between various professional teams based in Australia, Korea, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Turkey, and Ukraine. He also participated in training camps or summer leagues for several NBA teams including the Phoenix Suns, the Boston Celtics, and the Washington Wizards.[citation needed]

Coaching career

Burgess coached at Utah Valley for four years before following coach Mark Pope to BYU.[6] Burgess coached at BYU for three years and then took the job at Utah. In 2024, Burgess returned to BYU as the lead assistant coach under new coach Kevin Young.[2]

Personal life

Burgess is married to Lesa Zollinger of Millville, Utah;[7] they have three daughters and two sons.[1] He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Chris Burgess profile". University of Utah. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  2. ^ McCann, Dave (May 2024). "How a pair of negatives created a positive for Chris Burgess and BYU". Deseret News. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Chris Burgess stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  4. ^ USA Today: Pro basketball: NBA with Chris Burgess
  5. ^ "Utah Loses Burgess". Los Angeles Times. 2002-01-03. Archived 31 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  6. ^ "Chris Burgess profile". Utah Valley University. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Zollinger-Burgess". HJ News. 17 August 2002. Retrieved 12 October 2024.