Former high school teammates, college rivals, and close friends Jared Sullinger and Trey Burke were recently selected to the NBA Rising Stars Challenge that will be held during the NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans this upcoming February. Both Sullinger and Burke have been great players for their teams this season. Both players play totally different positions and play different styles, but their circumstances are similar.
Both Sullinger and Burke are required to do a lot of heavy lifting for their respective teams. The Jazz and Celtics are very young teams that have placed a lot of their marbles into the two players from Columbus, Ohio. Sullinger is in his second season and Burke is a rookie, but on the court they are mature beyond their years.
In Sullinger you have a second year player that has pretty much doubled his production from last season. Sullinger is averaging around 13 ppg and he cleans the glass getting around 8 rebounds per game. The numbers don’t jump off the screen, but the steady dose of improvement is there. Sully is one of few players this season that has had a 20-20 game, and he also leads the Celtics in double-doubles. Head Coach Brad Stevens has found a gem in Sullinger, and the C’s should be proud of him and excited about his development. Coming off of season ending back surgery Sullinger has proved doubters wrong, and will only continue to do so.
The Rookie Trey Burke started off this season on the sideline due to a broken finger. Since coming back from injury Burke has arguably been the best rookie in the NBA. Burke is the catalyst for the Jazz, and is putting up solid numbers across the board. Burke is averaging 13ppg and averaging close to 6 dimes a game. Burke has had several big moments for the Jazz this season, and has been one of few bright spots in a very weak draft class. Burke has impressed with his play making ability as well as his basketball IQ. Burke plays with a calmness of a veteran, and when watching him on the court it’s hard to believe that he is just barely old enough to order an alcoholic beverage.
The basketball journey of Trey Burke and Jared Sullinger has been a great sight to see. From winning AAU Tournaments together, winning the state title at Northland High School, being both named All-Americans on the collegiate level, being drafted in the first round of the NBA, and now being able to share the stage during NBA All-Star Weekend all seems like a story book moment. If you know and understand the work ethic of both Sullinger and Burke it comes to no surprise. At the rate that Sullinger and Burke are going at this won’t be the last time where they will share success on the hardwood together.
I’m pretty sure that the Burke and Sullinger families are beyond proud, and I know for a fact that the city of Columbus, Ohio is proud as well. Congrats young fellas keep up the good work.
Ohio Against the World!
