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 Duke center Burgess to transfer Sophomore center is third Blue Devil to leave early since final
Posted: Tuesday April 27, 1999 01:07 PM
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) -- Duke sophomore center Chris Burgess has been granted a request to transfer to another school, Duke officials announced Monday. The 6-foot-10, 245-pound Burgess saw limited action backing up All-American center Elton Brand last season, averaging 5.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. A Mormon, Burgess had talked late in the season about possibly leaving the team to go on a mission. A statement released by the school did not address the issue. "He didn't indicate what he planned to do about that," said Duke sports information director Mike Cragg. Burgess is the third Blue Devil to leave the team in the past two weeks. Fellow sophomores Brand and William Avery announced earlier their intentions to enter the 1999 NBA Draft. Freshman Corey Maggette was also reportedly considering leaving early for the pros but hadn't made up his mind as of late last week. The deadline for underclassmen to send a letter to NBA commissioner David Stern declaring for the draft is May 16. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski supported Brand's decision but opposed Avery leaving early. Burgess' decision, meanwhile, apparently caught him off guard. "I am surprised by the decision and the timing of it," said Krzyzewski in a statement released by the school. "I certainly wish Chris and his family the best in the future." Duke went 37-2 last season after losing to Connecticut in the national championship game. Burgess was a Parade All-American out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif. but would've again competed for playing time next season. Krzyzewski lured a another stellar recruiting class that includes Nick Horvath, a 6-10 center from Arden Hills, Minn. and Casey Sanders, a 6-11 shot-blocking specialist from Tampa, Fla.
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