Burnett Signs with Peru State College

Burnett Bio
Burnett Stats
Peru State Men's Basketball

PALATINE, Ill. – Harper College men's basketball player showed off his incredible basketball skill in one season for the Hawks. Burnett recently signed to continue his basketball career at Peru State College in Nebraska.

Burnett will play for the Bobcats, members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Heart of America Athletic Conference. Peru State is coached by Eric Behrens, who was hired as the Men's Basketball coach in April 2014. Under Behrens' direction, the Bobcats made the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship tournament, the first time the program had done so since the 1996-97 season.

Burnett, a native of Joliet and graduate of Joliet West High School who spent time at Illinois Valley Community College prior to coming to Harper, was impressed with the Peru Sate program as a whole.

"He (coach Eric Behrens) was just an awesome coach, and when I went on my visit, the players worked hard at everything they did. I felt like I already had a connection with the coach," Burnett said.

The 6-foot-3 guard/forward started all 31 games for the Hawks and averaged a team-high 19.0 PPG to go along with 6.0 RPG. Burnett rarely left the court, as his 37.4 minutes per game was second-most in the nation. He shot a solid 45.9 percent (209-of-455) from the field in the 2015-16 season and 73.6 percent (120-of-163) from the free throw line. He finished the season on a high note as he averaged 25 points per game over his final four contests and was recognized as the Harper College Athlete of the Week.

Burnett was recognized as a NJCAA Region IV Division III Men's Basketball Player of the Week on two occasions this season (Nov. 30, Jan. 18).

Burnett is continuing his college basketball career at Peru State College in Nebraska. (Jim Cummins)

He is finishing up his associate degree at Harper College this summer and plans to study business at Peru State. One day, he plans to start his own basketball company for kids and young adults.

"I want to be able to teach them everything they need to know to become a complete player," Burnett said.

Reflecting on his year at Harper, Burnett speaks fondly of his athletic and academic experience.

"I enjoyed playing basketball, of course, and just enjoying experiencing new knowledge because it will help me grow as a person," Burnett said. "I also learned that everyone there is willing to help you succeed and want to see you do great in the future."