Jordan Burks sees himself as a sparkplug for Kentucky in 2023

Incoming freshman forward Jordan Burks is working at carving out a role for the Kentucky Wildcats this season while they participate in GLOBL JAM. Kentucky has a ton of talent coming in with the 2023 recruiting class, along with the talent they previously had on the roster and one transfer portal acquisition, so playing time will be at a premium.

And although Burks is unlikely to earn a starting role this season, he is planning on contributing in any way possible coming off the bench.

Recently the Wildcats small forward from Decatur, Alabama, shared his thoughts on how he can contribute off the bench in his freshman season, likening himself to a spark plug for the team.

“Rebounding, blocking shots, getting steals; just being an energy guy, a spark plug, and coming in and doing whatever he needs me to do. That’s how I feel like I can help the team,” said Burks.

Burks logged some quality minutes against Canada on Thursday. The freshman had 19 minutes of action while shooting 75 percent from the field (3-4). Burks filled his stat sheet finishing the game with six points, four rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Burks was able to give John Calipari and Kentucky fans a small sample of what he can bring to the table next season.

Calipari explains how he’s using Tyler Ulis as an example for this year’s Kentucky team

Calipari also spoke to the media following Kentucky’s victory over Canada. Recently Calipari brought back one of his former players as an assistant, point guard Tyler Ulis. So far, Ulis has been helping the Wildcats’ headman get his incoming crop of young talent prepared for the upcoming season.

But his presence is doing something else for Kentucky this season. As Calipari explained, it’s actually helping to empower the Wildcat players on the court.

“I’ve told this team, I want this team to play like his team played. Which was he basically coached the team,” said Calipari. “You’re seeing, I’m trying to do less and less when I’m coaching. And the reason is I want these kids to feel empowered to go make mistakes go do stuff. Call what you want. I don’t really care long as you’re fighting. With him, he would walk over and say, ‘let’s do this.’ That’s fine. ‘Let’s do this.’ Let’s do it.”

Ulis is already helping and rubbing off on the Kentucky players the right way. In Kentucky’s recent matchup at GLOBL JAM, big man Tre Mitchell came to Calipari with a suggestion that resulted in a huge basket for the Wildcats.

“Today Tre came into the huddle and said, ‘the guy’s doing this. If you let me screen, Antonio is going to be open.’ And that corner three he made; that was Tre. I’m like, perfect. That’s how you want to coach. You want them to feel that it’s their team.”

Ulis was brought on as a student assistant coach last December.