Prospect Spotlight: Mac Burgett (2019)
In a program with as much talent as LC Bird, who placed five seniors in college on full scholarships, the best young players don’t always play early. However, they are also known for player development, and that’s what’s starting to become evident with rising junior Mac Burgett.
The 6’6” forward played sparingly on varsity last season, and has progressively got better throughout the summer with Dreamchasers 16U. Many of the players for DC 16s are young Bird players, and playing together during the summer is helping prepare them for much bigger roles come high school season with the Skyhawks graduating over 90% of their scoring from their state championship run.
“We all started off in AAU before high school,” Burgett said about this group. “It’s gotten us a lot better, all the way through summer league, and we’re gelling a lot better now in July so it should pay off next season so we can get back to the state championship.”
Burgett’s decision to stay at Bird instead of transfer to a program where he’d play more in his early years is reflected in his team first attitude. When asked what his goals were, he was quick to mention that team success is all he’s worried about.
“Really, all I want to do is win,” he said. “Winning is my only goal. I mean, I want to score well, I want to pass well but all I really want to do is make others look good and win. That’s it.”
His development has come at a steady pace, and now it’s all about translating his skill set to game experiences. At 6’6”, he can play both on the perimeter and in the post, has a smooth jump shot and obviously is an unselfish player. This summer has been all work for him.
“I’ve been getting lots of shots up, and just trying to get more in game experience,” he said. “I’ve been playing pick-up, going to the gym and been hitting the weight room. I’m still growing into my body, I grew early and had big feet so I’ve been lifting a lot to fill out my body.”
As for what Head Coach Troy Manns will be looking for this season from Burgett, his playing time will all be dependent upon how much he can help the team win throughout the season.
“He’s told me he likes that I’m an all around player and that I’m a winner. He said I win, and as long as I keep helping them win then I’m going to keep playing so that’s all I’m focused on doing.”
His additional playing time comes at a good time as well. With the Skyhawks thin in the front court, Burgett will be looked at to play in the post when needed, and also give them size when they want to go big. His all out, team style fits in well with what he thinks they need to do to simulate the success they had last season.
“We’re going to have to play hard every single game. We’re undersized, we’re a lot smaller this year with just Tyrek Williams and Chris Ford as our only big men, so we really need to just play hard every single game and go get it.”
Don’t be surprised if Burgett is a breakout player in the Richmond area, and seeing as he’s still growing, college coaches should keep an eye on him moving forward as a possible division one prospect.