Alec Burks Bio
Alec Burks (born July 20, 1991) is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A shooting guard listed at 6 feet 5 inches tall, he was selected by the Utah Jazz as the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft after two standout seasons at the University of Colorado. Across more than a decade in the league, Burks built a reputation as a reliable scorer and veteran presence, suiting up for eight different franchises while continuing to contribute as a shooter and playmaker off the bench.
Before turning professional, Burks starred at Grandview High School in Missouri, where he was recognized as one of the top prospects in the state. He then arrived at Colorado and quickly established himself as one of the most productive freshmen in the Big 12 Conference, paving the way for a first-round selection and a long NBA career that has taken him from Salt Lake City to Miami.
Early Life and Background
Alec Burks was born on July 20, 1991, in Grandview, Missouri, a small city south of Kansas City. He is the son of Steve Burks and Dina Burks, and he grew up alongside an older brother, Steve Jr. The close-knit family environment in Grandview helped shape his early interest in basketball, and the sport quickly became a central part of his daily routine.
Burks attended Grandview High School, where he developed into one of the most decorated players in school history. As a senior, he averaged 23.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game, numbers that reflected his well-rounded skill set. In 2009, his senior season earned him the Gatorade Player of the Year award in the state of Missouri, along with Kansas City Star and Metro Sports Player of the Year honors. Prior to his final year, Burks signed his National Letter of Intent with Colorado during the November 2008 signing period.
Path to Basketball
Coming out of Grandview High School, Burks was rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com, listed as the No. 49 shooting guard and the No. 196 overall player in the 2009 national rankings. Despite the modest ranking, his high school production drew attention from major college programs, and he chose the University of Colorado for the opportunity to play a featured role in the Big 12 Conference.
At Colorado, Burks wasted little time making an impact. In his freshman year, he became the school’s first-ever Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year and was also named to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team. As a sophomore, he elevated his game further, ranking statistically as the eighteenth-best scorer in NCAA Division I, and he earned selection to the All-Big 12 First Team. He missed only a single college game across his two seasons in Boulder. Following that sophomore campaign, Burks decided in April 2011 to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2011 NBA draft, where he was projected as a first-round pick.
Alec Burks Career
Early Career (2011–2018)
Burks began his NBA journey with the Utah Jazz after being taken 12th overall in the 2011 NBA draft. He signed his rookie scale contract on December 9, 2011, and gradually worked his way into a regular rotation role. The Jazz showed their long-term commitment by exercising his third-year and fourth-year team options in successive Octobers, extending his contract through the 2014–15 season.
On January 13, 2014, Burks scored a career-high 34 points in a 118–103 win over the Denver Nuggets, establishing himself as a legitimate scoring threat at the NBA level. That October, he signed a four-year, $42 million contract extension with the Jazz, a clear sign of the franchise’s belief in his development. Injuries soon interrupted his progress. A shoulder issue ended his 2014–15 campaign in December, and a fractured left fibula and ankle problems limited him throughout the following seasons. Despite those setbacks, he continued to flash scoring ability, posting a season-high 28 points off the bench in a November 30, 2017 win over the Los Angeles Clippers and stringing together multiple 20-point performances in December 2017.
Utah Jazz Breakthrough (2011–2018)
Burks’ most consistent stretch as a Jazz rotation player came during the early-to-mid 2010s, when he operated as a primary scoring wing off the bench. Even as injuries cost him significant playing time, he delivered several signature performances, including his 34-point outburst against Denver in January 2014 and the multi-game 20-point run in December 2017. His development from raw rookie to dependable NBA scorer was the defining storyline of his Utah tenure, and his October 2014 contract extension reflected the organization’s confidence in his long-term ceiling.
Journeyman Years (2018–2022)
On November 29, 2018, Burks was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Kyle Korver, beginning a stretch of frequent team changes. He quickly made his mark in Cleveland, recording 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in his debut against the Boston Celtics, and he delivered a game-winning dunk with 3.2 seconds left to beat the Brooklyn Nets 99–97 on December 3, 2018. A brief stop with the Sacramento Kings followed in February 2019 after a three-team trade involving the Houston Rockets.
In July 2019, Burks signed with the Golden State Warriors, where he posted a season-high 33 points against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 20, 2020. He changed his jersey number from 8 to 20 on January 30, 2020, in tribute to the late Kobe Bryant. He was then dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers in February 2020 before signing a one-year, $6 million deal with the New York Knicks in November 2020. In New York, he helped the Knicks return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, scoring 30 points against the San Antonio Spurs in May 2021 and 27 points in a Game 1 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He re-signed with the Knicks on a three-year, $30 million contract in August 2021.
Detroit Pistons and Return to the Knicks (2022–2024)
On July 11, 2022, Burks was traded to the Detroit Pistons, where he became a veteran scoring option for a rebuilding roster. He opened his Pistons tenure with 17 points against the New York Knicks on November 11, 2022, and Detroit exercised his team option for the 2023–24 season in June 2023. On January 16, 2024, he tied his career high with 34 points against the Washington Wizards while shooting 11-of-17 from the field.
On February 8, 2024, Burks was traded back to the New York Knicks in a package that sent several players and picks the other direction, reuniting him with the franchise where he had enjoyed his most stable run as a veteran.
Miami Heat Era (2024–2025)
On July 4, 2024, Burks signed with the Miami Heat, joining a contender looking for backcourt depth and shooting. He slotted into a supporting role alongside Miami’s core group, bringing his decade of NBA experience to a Heat team built on toughness and two-way play. His tenure in Miami represented the latest chapter in a career defined by adaptability and longevity.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the milestones that punctuate Burks’ career are his 12th overall selection in the 2011 NBA draft, his $42 million extension with Utah in 2014, his career-high 34-point performances against the Denver Nuggets in 2014, the Detroit Pistons in 2021, and the Washington Wizards in 2024, and his role in helping the New York Knicks end a multi-year playoff drought in 2021. His jersey number change from 8 to 20 in January 2020, made in tribute to Kobe Bryant, also stands out as a meaningful personal moment during his time with the Golden State Warriors.
Alec Burks Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Burks was raised in Grandview, Missouri, by his parents, Steve Burks and Dina Burks. He has an older brother, Steve Jr., who has remained part of his personal support system throughout his basketball journey.
Personal Life
Off the court, Burks is known as a family-oriented player who has stayed closely connected to his Missouri roots. He has built his NBA career across multiple cities while keeping his personal life largely private, focusing publicly on his work as a professional shooting guard.
2025 Season Performance
As the 2025 calendar approached, Burks’ immediate NBA future remained a developing story following his time with the Miami Heat. After joining Miami in July 2024, he entered the new year as an experienced veteran guard capable of contributing bench scoring and outside shooting to a contending roster.
Throughout the early portion of the 2024–25 season, Burks continued in his familiar role as a reliable secondary option, providing minutes at both shooting guard and small forward while mentoring younger players in the Heat locker room. His ability to space the floor and create his own shot off the dribble remained valuable assets for a team with championship aspirations.
Looking ahead through the remainder of 2025, Burks’ veteran presence, career scoring resume, and familiarity with multiple playoff systems position him as a potential difference-maker for whichever roster he joins next. His track record of bouncing back from injuries and adapting to new systems suggests that his professional career still has meaningful chapters to write.