Ayden Kelley, son of former Memphis basketball star Antonio Burks, joins Arkansas

Northpoint Christian School guard Ayden Kelley, the son of former Booker T. Washington and Memphis basketball guard Antonio Burks, has joined Arkansas, the team announced July 11.

Kelley’s background is full of basketball talent. His stepfather is former Tennessee star point guard Tony Harris. Harris was a McDonald’s All-American out of East High School and played for the Volunteers from 1997-01.

The 5-foot-10 Kelley averaged 19 points, four rebounds and four assists per game during his senior season and now joins former Memphis and Kentucky coach John Calipari’s inaugural roster with the Razorbacks for the 2024-25 season.

Calipari will now coach both father and son as he coached Burks during his three seasons with the Tigers (2001-04).

After spending a year at Hiwassee Junior College, Burks walked on at Memphis, helping the Tigers win the NIT in 2002. After winning Conference USA Player of the Year honors in 2004, he embarked on a five-year professional career, including two years in the NBA with the Grizzlies.

His son now follows a similar path as one of four late additions to Calipari’s first roster in Fayetteville with the season just a few months away.

Kelley’s commitment is not the first time Calipari has dipped into his Memphis connections since leaving Kentucky for Arkansas in April.

Camden High School five-star small forward Billy Richmond III flipped his commitment from the Wildcats to the Razorbacks in late April and will be on this upcoming season’s roster as well.

Wendell Shepherd Jr. is the high school sports beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Wendell at [email protected]. Follow Wendell on X, formerly known as Twitter, @wendellsjr_.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ayden Kelley, son of former Memphis star Antonio Burks, joins Arkansas

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ayden-kelley-son-former-memphis-152007830.html

Author : The Commercial Appeal

Publish date : 2024-07-15 15:20:07

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