Press Releases

March 26, 1996
JOHN BURKE OF Southampton Graduate Campus IS ONLY DIVISION II PLAYER NAMED TO NABC ALL-STAR TEAM

Contact: Jane Finalborgo
(516) 287-8313

John Burke, a senior captain on the Southampton Graduate Campus Men's Basketball Team, has been selected as the only Division II player in the country to participate in the 1996 National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star Game on Sunday, March 31, at Rutgers University.

The 7-foot-2 native of Naas, Ireland, is the only player from a Long Island college (and only one of two 7-footers) among the 20 players voted in by a panel of coaches. The NABC All-Star Game will be televised live at 5 p.m. by Prime Network.

"This is a tribute to what John has accomplished on and off the court," said Sidney Green, Southampton Graduate Campus coach and former NBA star. "Getting chosen is the opportunity of a lifetime for John to fulfill his dream of playing professional basketball."

As a senior captain, Burke was an All-Conference selection in NYCAC, and an Academic All-American Honorable Mention. He led the country in blocked shots and placed second nationally in rebounding. A five-time ECAC honor roll selection, Burke also recorded 24 rebounds in one game, best in the nation.

"I'm most definitely looking forward to playing with the top players in the country," said Burke, who until 1989 had never picked up a basketball. "This is a great honor for me."

Once named one of the tallest men in Ireland, Burke played for the Irish National Team in the 1992 Olympics. "What John has done in only seven years of playing basketball is amazing," said Green, who starred for six NBA clubs. "He also represents an outstanding possibility for the NBA to market an Irish-American player."

Burke, who ranks as the tallest All-Star by two inches, will be coached by Eddie Sutton of Oklahoma State.