Johnny Edward Burks was born in Stockton, CA and played basketball for the Dons from 1969 to 1972. He recorded 1051 career points, averaging 13.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 70.9 FT% and 39.2 FG%. Listed at 6’ 7”, 185 lbs., he played forward for the Dons with fellow Hall of Famer Art Wilmore. He was All-WCAC from 1970-1971. He was drafted in 1972 by the Golden State Warriors in the Eighth Round (126th pick overall), but played only briefly as a rookie.
He was inducted into the USF Hall of Fame in 1991.
Johnny Burks continued to play, steadily contributing 11 points and 8 rebounds. It was a dismal evening for the Dons, but they showed great character two days later with a remarkable performance over a scrappy University of Nevada at Reno team.
Pete Cross continued to dominate both offensive and defensive boards away from UOP soph John Gianelli. Johnny Burks scored at least three clutch shots right over the Tigers big defense. John Hancock also scored heavily with a 60% field goal average. In the first half, the Dons were a better team than Pacific, man for man which was illustrated in the confused offense of the Tigers. The pressure was on UOP as they came out for the second half. The Dons, who were leading by 13 points, with the score at 36-23, had run away from Pacific in the first half. With their large lead, USF still realized that even though they were playing at home, Pacific would still be tough. The Tigers started out the second half very slowly, but after seven minutes UOP was breathing right down the Dons neck. Their rally had taken them within 2 points of USF. With Johnny Burks fouling out of the game, the pressure was starting to turn toward the Dons. The Dons pulled away once from the Tigers, but to no avail, as the UOP five rallied again to a one point lead over USF with 2:34 left in the game. (TheFoghorn).
