Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Alec Burks has built a lengthy NBA career by adapting to virtually any role, providing dependable scoring, veteran leadership, and reliable perimeter shooting whenever his team has needed it. Whether starting or coming off the bench, his ability to create offense, knock down timely shots, and stay ready for every opportunity has made him a valuable contributor across multiple franchises.

Here’s the detailed information about NBA player Alec Burks:

  • Full Name: Alec Burks
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born July 20, 1991
  • Hometown: Grandview, Missouri, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm)
  • Weight: 214 pounds (97 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm)
  • Shoe Size: 13 (US)
  • Jersey Number:
    • #10 — Utah Jazz
    • #18 — Cleveland Cavaliers
    • #8 — Sacramento Kings
    • #8 — Golden State Warriors
    • #20 — Philadelphia 76ers
    • #18 — New York Knicks
    • #14 — Detroit Pistons
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
  • High School: Grandview High School, Grandview, Missouri
  • College: University of Colorado Boulder (2009–2011)
  • NBA Draft: 2011, 1st round, 12th overall pick by the Utah Jazz
  • Player Archetype: Instant offense combo wing
  • Primary Offensive Role: Secondary shot creator and scoring spark off the bench
  • Defensive Role: Perimeter wing defender guarding 2–3 positions
  • Play Style: Slashing scorer with pull-up shooting ability and isolation scoring tendencies
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right
  • Athletic Profile: Smooth, fluid athlete with good body control and functional explosiveness
  • Recruiting Status: 3-star recruit
  • Draft Status Detail: One-and-done prospect with strong scoring upside
  • Injury Status Category: Moderate Risk — multiple early-career injuries (including shoulder issues) but sustained long-term availability afterward
  • Career Stage: Veteran role player
  • Comparison Style: Bench scoring wing with shot creation
  • Comparable Players:
    • Jamal Crawford — microwave bench scorer with isolation skill
    • Jordan Clarkson — modern scoring guard off the bench
    • Lou Williams — pick-and-roll scoring specialist second unit
  • Teams Played For:
    • Utah Jazz (2011–2018)
    • Cleveland Cavaliers (2018–2019)
    • Sacramento Kings (2019)
    • Golden State Warriors (2019–2020)
    • Philadelphia 76ers (2020–2021)
    • New York Knicks (2021–2023)
    • Detroit Pistons (2023–2024)
    • New York Knicks (2024–Present)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: 1 daughter named Ashtyn
  • Siblings: 1 brother named Steve Burks

Alec Burks fits the archetype of an instant offense combo wing, operating primarily as a secondary creator who can generate his own shot both on and off the ball. Defensively, he holds his own across wing assignments, using size and positioning rather than elite physical tools to stay effective. Offensively, Burks thrives as a scoring spark, blending downhill drives with a reliable pull-up jumper, particularly in second-unit lineups where his usage spikes. Physically, he brings solid size for a guard at 6’6″ with a sturdy frame, allowing him to absorb contact and finish through traffic. His overall play style leans toward controlled aggression—comfortable in isolation, capable in pick-and-roll, and most valuable when tasked with stabilizing bench scoring stretches.

Scouting Report

Alec Burks has always looked most comfortable when the defense is slightly out of shape because he has a knack for recognizing those half-open driving lanes that other guards hesitate to attack. He doesn’t overwhelm defenders with elite burst, but his changes of pace, patient handle and ability to stop on balance allow him to get into pull-up jumpers or lean into contact once he reaches the paint. What stands out is how rarely he appears rushed. He’ll come off a ball screen, keep the defender on his back for an extra beat and wait for the weak-side help to commit before making the simple pass or finishing himself. As an off-ball player, he spaces the floor well and relocates into clean catch-and-shoot opportunities, making him an easy fit alongside more ball-dominant creators without disappearing from the offense. The trade-off is that he can become overly reliant on difficult jumpers when early actions stall, and he isn’t the type of creator who consistently bends elite defenses possession after possession. Defensively, Burks understands positioning better than he’s often credited for. He shades drivers toward help, competes over screens when defending similar-sized guards and uses his length to bother shooters, but quicker guards can turn the corner on him if he’s left on an island too frequently, and his off-ball awareness can drift when multiple actions develop at once. To me, his best role is as a scoring guard off the bench or a complementary starter who can stabilize second units, provide secondary pick-and-roll creation and punish defenses that overload toward stars. There’s value in having someone who doesn’t need ten dribbles to generate a decent shot. Stylistically, he sits somewhere between Caris LeVert and Tim Hardaway Jr., combining enough shot creation to manufacture offense late in possessions with enough shooting to thrive when someone else is directing the attack.

Sources:
Basketball Reference — Alec Burks Stats
NBA.com — Alec Burks Player Profile
ESPN — Alec Burks Bio