Scott Burrell facts for kids

Scott David Burrell (born January 12, 1971) is an American basketball coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for men's basketball at Southern Connecticut State University. Burrell has played basketball professionally in many countries. He also played professional baseball for a short time.

In 1990, the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team drafted Burrell. He played in Minor League Baseball during 1990 and 1991. After his baseball career, the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA drafted him in 1993. He later played for the Golden State Warriors and the Chicago Bulls, where he won an NBA championship. He also played for the New Jersey Nets before finishing his NBA career with the Hornets. He continued playing in other professional basketball leagues until 2006.

Early Life and Sports Talents

Scott Burrell was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He grew up in nearby Hamden. At Hamden High School, he was a star in many sports. He played basketball, was a quarterback in football, and a pitcher in baseball.

In 1989, after high school, the Seattle Mariners baseball team drafted him. Scott first planned to play baseball at the University of Miami. However, a basketball coach from the University of Connecticut convinced him to play basketball there instead.

College Basketball Career

From 1989 to 1993, Scott Burrell played for the Connecticut Huskies. He played as a guard and forward. As a first-year student in 1989–90, he averaged 8.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

In 1990, another baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays, drafted him. Scott spent the next two summers playing minor league baseball. He then returned to college basketball.

As a junior in 1991–92, Scott scored a career-high 16.3 points per game. He also had a career-high 7.5 rebounds per game in 1990–91. Scott Burrell became the first player in NCAA basketball history to get over 1,500 points, 750 rebounds, 275 assists, and 300 steals.

He is famous for a special play in 1990. With only one second left, he threw a full-court pass to a teammate, Tate George. Tate then made a shot as time ran out, helping UConn beat Clemson. Scott went back to college and earned his bachelor's degree in 2010.

Professional Basketball Journey

Scott Burrell was picked by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1993 NBA draft. He was the 20th player chosen overall.

Playing for the Charlotte Hornets

In his first season, he averaged 4.8 points per game. He missed 31 games due to injuries to his knee, ankle, and Achilles tendon. In the 1994–95 season, Scott played in 65 games and started 62 of them. He averaged 11.5 points and 5.7 rebounds. He finished third in votes for the NBA Most Improved Player Award. He also placed third in a three-point shooting contest. After this season, injuries limited his playing time. He mostly played off the bench.

Winning an NBA Championship with the Bulls

In 1997, the Hornets traded Scott to the Golden State Warriors. Later that year, the Warriors traded him to the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls' general manager wanted Scott because he could play both forward positions.

During the 1997–98 season, the Bulls won the NBA championship. Scott played in 80 games and started three. He averaged 5.2 points and 2.5 rebounds. On February 2, 1998, he scored a season-high 24 points in just 18 minutes. This was in a big win against the Denver Nuggets.

The TV show The Last Dance showed Scott Burrell as a target of Michael Jordan's jokes. Scott helped the Bulls by guarding Jordan in practice. His athletic skills made him a good match for Jordan.

Later NBA and International Play

After the NBA lockout in 1999, the Bulls released Scott. He then signed with the New Jersey Nets. He played for the Nets for two seasons. In 2001, Scott returned to the Charlotte Hornets for four games. This was his final NBA season.

After the NBA, Scott played for the Fayetteville Patriots in the NBDL (now NBA G League). He then played basketball internationally. He played for the Shaanxi Kylins in China and the Batang Thunder in the Philippines. He also played for the Idaho Stampede in the U.S. and for teams in Spain and Japan. He finished his professional playing career in Japan in 2006.

Coaching Career

After his playing days, Scott Burrell became a coach. In 2006–07, he was an assistant coach for the Colorado 14ers. This team was in the NBA D-League.

In 2007, he became an assistant coach at Quinnipiac University. This was in his hometown of Hamden, Connecticut. He helped the Quinnipiac Bobcats men's basketball team win a conference title in 2010. They also qualified for a national tournament.

In 2015, Scott Burrell became the head coach for men's basketball at Southern Connecticut State University. This is a Division II school. In his first season, he led the Southern Connecticut Fighting Owls to a 22–8 record. They won their division title and made it to the NCAA tournament. Because of this success, he was named Coach of the Year. He led his team to the NCAA tournament again in 2017.

Head Coaching Record

Personal Life

After the Chicago Bulls won the championship in 1998, the Governor of Connecticut declared October 20, 1998, "Scott Burrell Day." His hometown of Hamden also gave him a "key to the city."

Scott is married to Jeané Coakley, a sports reporter. They have two children. His niece, Alycia Washington, is a professional rugby player for the USA Eagles.

Career Statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

College

See also

In Spanish: Scott Burrell para niños