Brad Williams
July 23, 2020
Evers Burns
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 24/08/71
- Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland (USA)
- Position: F/C
- Height (CM): 203
- Weight (KG): 118
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Maryland (1989-1993)
- NBL DEBUT: 11/03/98
- AGE AT DEBUT: 26
- LAST NBL GAME: 9/06/98
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 26
- NBL History: Sydney 1998
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Evers Burns was born in Baltimore, Maryland (USA).
FAMILY:
He is the cousin of former NBA player Len Elmore.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Evers Burns made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 26 years of age. He scored eight points in his first game.
Sydney entered 1998 after finishing ninth with a 12-18 record the previous season, with Bill Tomlinson taking over from Alan Black as head coach. Isaac Burton (to Newcastle), Melvin Thomas (to Canberra), Cameron Dickinson (to Wollongong) and Ben Knight (to South East Melbourne) departed, while captain Bruce Bolden, Aaron Trahair, Matthew Nielsen, Stephen Whitehead, Brad Rosen and Brad Williams returned. Shane Heal (via Minnesota) came back to Sydney after one NBA season, citing limited playing time behind Stephon Marbury, the cold weather and a calf injury which had complicated his path back into the Timberwolves rotation. Scott McGregor (via Newcastle), Matt Nover and 19-year-old Stephen Jackson were the other major additions.
Nover had reached the NCAA Final Four and was also known for playing Ricky Roe in the movie Blue Chips, while Jackson had led the 1996 McDonald’s All-American Game in scoring alongside a group which included Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O’Neal and Richard Hamilton. Jackson had intended to attend Arizona before being ruled academically ineligible, entered the 1997 NBA Draft and was selected by Phoenix in the second round before beginning his professional career with Sydney as the youngest import signing in NBL history. Nover and Jackson combined for only 36 points across the Kings’ first three games and Jackson became the first import in NBL history to go scoreless on debut, but Sydney still defeated Canberra, Newcastle and Melbourne to begin 3-0.
The unbeaten start ended in Adelaide, where Jackson landed awkwardly while attempting to block Kevin Brooks late in the third quarter and broke his foot, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Jackson eventually returned to the NBA, playing 858 games and winning the 2003 championship with San Antonio.
Sydney’s frontcourt continued to change after a 108-99 loss to Wollongong on March 7. Trahair (40 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made 13-of-16 field goals and Heal (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 9 assists) provided the other major contribution, but Clayton Ritter (28 points and 11 rebounds) led the Hawks. Nover was released soon afterwards, with former King Dave Simmons, who had been released by Newcastle, and former Sacramento forward Evers Burns, the 31st pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, signed as replacements.
Burns made his NBL debut at Melbourne Park on March 11, finishing with 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists as South East Melbourne defeated Sydney 115-88. Trahair (20 points) and Heal (15 points) led the Kings, while Mike Kelly (25 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) was the Magic’s best.
Burns (16.5 points and 9.4 rebounds across 22 games) immediately gave Sydney greater scoring and rebounding inside and appeared in each of the Kings’ final 22 games. The frontcourt improved after his arrival, but perimeter defence and ball distribution remained problems. After six appearances, Simmons (6.5 points and 6.3 rebounds across 6 games) was released to make room for Kelsey Weems (20 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.5 steals across 12 games), giving Tomlinson another ball-handler and allowing Heal (20.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists across 29 games) and Trahair (13.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3 assists across 27 games) to spend more time at shooting guard. Sydney’s import merry-go-round also included Kenny Payne, who never appeared in a game, Bryan Caver (2 games), Jackson (4 games) and Nover (7 games), with the instability helping turn the 3-0 start into a 5-10 record after the Kings lost 10 of their next 12 games.
Burns delivered his best and highest-scoring game against North Melbourne at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on May 1. Burns (33 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) made 12-of-16 field goals and 9-of-14 free throws as Sydney defeated the Giants 102-98. Whitehead (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Weems (15 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) provided the main support, while Pat Reidy (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) led North Melbourne.
Heal remained Sydney’s leading scorer, while Nielsen (16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 28 games) continued his rapid development after averaging 9.9 points and 4.9 rebounds the previous season. Bolden (10.6 points and 5.3 rebounds across 30 games) and McGregor (9.4 points and 5.3 rebounds across 30 games) supplied further support as the Kings attempted to recover from their poor middle stretch.
Sydney completed its season in Townsville on June 9, where Burns (16 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) helped the Kings produce their highest score of the year. Nielsen (38 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Bolden (29 points and 8 rebounds) led Sydney, while Simon Kerle (29 points) was Townsville’s leading scorer. The Kings won 140-131 for their second consecutive victory, finishing eighth with a 13-17 record and missing the playoffs.
Evers Burns played one season in the NBL. He averaged 16.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 22 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 26 | Sydney | 13-17 (8) | 22 | 698 | 362 | 206 | 45 | 61 | 145 | 19 | 15 | 61 | 101 | 145 | 263 | 55% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 72 | 91 | 79% | 59% | 55% | 33 | Totals | 22 | 698 | 362 | 206 | 45 | 61 | 145 | 19 | 15 | 61 | 101 | 145 | 263 | 55.1% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% | 72 | 91 | 79.1% | 60% | 55% | 33 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 26 | Sydney | 13-17 (8) | 22 | 31.7 | 16.5 | 9.4 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 6.6 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 2.8 | 4.6 | 6.6 | 12.0 | 55% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 3.3 | 4.1 | 79% | 59% | 55% | 33 | Total | 22 | 31.7 | 16.5 | 9.4 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 6.6 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 2.8 | 4.6 | 6.6 | 12.0 | 55.1% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.0 | 79.1% | 60% | 55% | 33 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 33 | 18 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Evers Burns was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with pick #31 in the 1993 NBA Draft.
In addition to his time in the NBA and NBL Burns played several seasons in the Continental Basketball Association, for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Oklahoma City Cavalry, Yakima Sun Kings and Quad City Thunder.
Burns played 23 games in the NBA. He averaged 2.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- June 30, 1993: Drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the 2nd round (31st pick) of the 1993 NBA Draft.
- October 5, 1993: Signed a contract with the Sacramento Kings.
- February 16, 1994: Waived by the Sacramento Kings.
- February 18, 1994: Became a free agent after being waived by the Sacramento Kings.
- October 6, 1995: Signed a contract with the Seattle SuperSonics.
- October 11, 1995: Waived by the Seattle SuperSonics.
- October 13, 1995: Became a free agent after being waived by the Seattle SuperSonics.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 87% | 78% | 77% | 87% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 33 | 5 | 4 | 3 | ||||||
| Total | 145 | 263 | 55.1% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-94 | 22 | Sacramento | PF | 23 | 0 | 143 | 56 | 30 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 33 | 22 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 23 | 43% | 40% | Total | 23 | 0 | 143 | 56 | 30 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 33 | 22 | 55 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 12 | 23 | 52% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-94 | 22 | Sacramento | PF | 23 | 0 | 6.2 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 40% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 43% | 40% | Total | 23 | 0 | 6.2 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 40% | 0.5 | 1.0 | 52% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Argentina - Ferro Carril Oeste (1999) | Greece - Dafni (1994) | Italy - Cagiva Varese (1994) | Spain - Joventut Badalona (1995–1996) | Turkey - Emlakbank Ortaköy (1997–1998)
Evers Burns first played overseas in 1994, with Italian club Cagiva Varese, a stint that preceded a move later in 1994 to Greece with Dafni.
In the 1995–96 season, Burns appeared in Spain’s Liga ACB with Joventut Badalona, playing six games and averaging 9.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
He later played in Turkey during the 1997–98 season with Emlakbank Ortaköy, where he logged 20 games and averaged 16.0 points, 8.75 rebounds and 1.40 assists per game.
The following season, Burns had a short stint in Argentina with Ferro Carril Oeste (1999).
COLLEGE
As a freshman in 1989-90, Burns appeared in 28 games (11 in ACC play) and averaged 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds, while shooting 57-for-105 from the field (.543) and 5-for-22 at the foul line (.227).
In 1989-90 Maryland finished 19-14 overall and 6-8 in ACC play (7th), scoring 83.2 points per game and allowing 77.7, with Gary Williams in his first season as head coach.
As a sophomore in 1990-91, Burns played 28 games with three starts for a 16-12 Maryland team (5-9 ACC, 7th), averaging 7.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per game while adding 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks per game, and shooting .431 from the field across 87-of-202 with 42-of-74 at the line (.568).
Maryland was later hit with NCAA penalties that included a postseason ban for 1990-91 and 1991-92, which meant Burns’ sophomore and junior years came without postseason play despite the team remaining competitive in ACC play under Gary Williams.
In 1991-92, Burns moved into a full-time starting role (29 games, 29 starts) and produced 15.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in 31.2 minutes, alongside 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, while making 190 field goals on 368 attempts (.516) and finishing 81-of-126 at the line (.643). He led Maryland in scoring three times and in rebounding 13 times, recorded five points-rebounds double-doubles, and closed the season by scoring a then-career-high 25 points against Duke in the ACC Tournament, while his 15 rebounds against Clemson were the most by a Maryland player that season; across the year he led the team in field-goal accuracy at 51.6%, which was the eighth-best mark in the ACC, and he shot 50% or better in 17 games, 60% or better nine times, and 70% or better on three occasions.
In his senior season (1992-93), Burns started all 28 games and averaged 18.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game in 32.9 minutes, with 1.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, while Maryland finished 12-16 overall and 2-14 in ACC play (8th). One of his signature performances came on February 6, 1993 at Georgia Tech, when he scored a career-high 36 points in a 93-79 loss, setting Georgia Tech opponent single-game marks for field goals made (18) and field goals attempted (28), and he scored 22 of those points in the first half as Maryland rallied after falling behind 20-4 early.
Related
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