Burgess Keeps His College Plans a Secret

Woodbridge basketball standout Chris Burgess has officially ruled out Kentucky and will attend either Duke or Brigham Young, but remains tight-lipped on his choice, his father, Ken Burgess, said Saturday.

“We told him to make up his mind and live with [the decision] for a couple of days and he’s done that,” Ken Burgess said.

Ken Burgess said Chris will call BYU Coach Roger Reid and Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski today or Monday, then announce the choice at a scheduled Monday news conference.

The only call Chris has made, Ken Burgess said, was to Kentucky Coach Rick Pitino.

The 6-foot-11 center, a two-time Times all-county pick, is considered one of the top college prospects in the country, ranking as high as No. 2 by analyst Bob Gibbons, editor and publisher of All Star Sports Publications in Lenoir, N.C.

Last year at Woodbridge, Chris Burgess led the county in scoring (26.3 points a game) and was fourth in rebounding.

BYU is believed to be the front-runner now that Chris’ sister Angela, a 6-4 center at Umpqua (Ore.) College, recently signed a letter of intent to play there.

Duke has pursued Chris Burgess the heaviest and still believes it will sign him. A couple weeks ago Burgess chatted unofficially with former Marina High and Duke star Cherokee Parks, a member of the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves. The two go to the same workout facility.

“I still think Duke has the edge, but I’ve been wrong before,” Ken Burgess said.

If Chris Burgess is to sign an early letter of intent, it must be done by Wednesday. Otherwise, he will have to wait for the next signing period, which begins April 9.

The Blue Devils already have received commitments from high school stars Shane Battier and Elton Brand. Both play forward, which is the position Burgess is expected to play in college.