Trey Burke's dream now reality in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — Trey Burke knew at a young age that he wanted to play in the NBA.

He took basketball so seriously when he was 5 years old that the youth league he played in was forced to change their rules because he was so relentless defensively.

"I would always come over half court and steal the ball and just shoot layups," he recalls. "I was so competitive. At the time I didn't realize how significant that was, but now that I think about it, I knew I could be good if they changed the rules for me at a young age."

While Burke had the drive and intensity to be great, he had physical limitations that caused many to doubt his potential.

"He's always been a little smaller than everyone else," his mother Ronda Burke said. "If you tell him he can't do something, that's pretty much an insult. He has this inner drive in him where it's pretty much 'I'll show you. Yes I can.' Sometimes I have to tell him you can't take on the world — you can't do it all — but if you give your best and try your hardest, than the results are probably going to fall in your favor. And that's what has happened so far."

Each step along the way Burke proved one doubter wrong after another.

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He was a winner from the very beginning. His small stature didn't keep him from making the varsity basketball team as a freshman at Northland High School in Columbus, Ohio. He became a starter as a sophomore, and along with his best friend Jared Sullinger, won a state championship in 2009. He completed his high school basketball career with a 97-5 record and was named 2011 Ohio Mr. Basketball, but was still overlooked.

His hometown school, Ohio State, didn't offer him a scholarship. Instead, he went to Michigan, where, as a freshman, he led the Wolverines to their first Big Ten regular season title in 26 years. He topped that as a sophomore by becoming the consensus National Player of the Year, leading Michigan to the NCAA National Championship game where they fell to Louisville.

"I hate losing more than I love winning," Burke said. "I think that is what allows me to try to find different ways to win. I don't really like playing with people that are just out on the court that just want to get their stats, and things like that. I want to play with guys that want to win."

Burke is not afraid of the big moment and not afraid to take the last shot. He proved that in the 2013 NCAA Tournament. His deep three with time running out in regulation forced overtime against Kansas in the Sweet 16 — a game Michigan would eventually win. He has studied video tape of Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson — NBA legends who wanted the ball in their hands at the end of the game. He hopes to pattern his game after Iverson — a star player who was also undersized.

He still feels people doubt his ability, and all the proof he needed was on draft night. He is thrilled that he ended up in Utah, but won't forget that eight NBA teams passed on him in the draft. Burke continues to play the game of basketball with a chip on his shoulder.

"It bothered me a lot," Burke admits. "But I feel like I'm in the right situation. I feel like Utah is going to give me the opportunity to come in and prove myself and an opportunity to help this team win."

The Jazz currently have no point guards under contract for the 2013-14 season. Burke understands the job won't be handed to him, but if he works hard he has a great opportunity to start as a rookie. He has already accomplished much more than most expected. But he believes he is just getting started.

"If you ask me, I feel I can be an All-Star in this league someday," he said.

The Utah Jazz and it's fans hope he's right.

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