Jordan Burks moved back to the three, his natural position: "He's in heaven."

Jordan Burks has been a do-it-all forward off the bench for Kentucky — and it was a role the Wildcats desperately needed. Shorthanded due to injury, the former three-star recruit really had no choice but to play out of position for the sake of the team. Listed as a guard in high school and upon signing with the program, the 6-9 freshman was forced to slide down and play the four and even the five off the bench.

The Cats simply didn’t have anybody else and he was the biggest player left available with Aaron Bradshaw, Ugonna Onyenso and Zvonimir Ivisic all out.

And he was terrific, averaging 2.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 10.0 strong minutes off the bench through eight games. Burks was described as a “sponge,” someone who “changed the game” at times with his energy and effort.

“I just embrace it. I do it,” Burks previously said of his role. “It’s honestly natural, it’s not even putting on a front. I just go out there when they call my name. That’s how I get in, so I try to make the best of it no matter what. I just want to show how I can make an impact on defense and offense.”

For the first time since he arrived in Lexington, that role wasn’t totally necessary for the Cats against Penn in Philadelphia. Bradshaw is back and Onyenso is inching closer toward a return. The depth is finally coming along.

That’s paving the path for Burks to slide back to his original position, the one that allowed him to lead Overtime Elite in scoring at 27.1 points per game as a senior. He’s a big, versatile wing capable of getting buckets. And he’s excited to get back to doing what he loves.

“I want to have a whole team of guys who want to prove themselves. The guy who didn’t play today because of (Aaron’s) minutes was Jordan Burks, and he’s been playing well all season,” Calipari said following the win in Philly. “That’s somebody I’m going to have to sit down. I also moved him to the three, so he’s in heaven. He was playing the four and five. The five? He’s not a five, he’s a three. Now I’m moving him there and he’s so happy.”

Calipari added that Burks actually hurt his hand in practice this week, but he didn’t care. The freshman out of Decatur, AL fought through the pain just to show what he can do playing in his natural position.

“He almost broke his hand, his hand was swollen. He still practiced,” Calipari added. “Said, ‘Man, I’m practicing. I’m finally playing the three, I’m out here.'”

Burks carved out a necessary role to open the season, and his efforts were rewarded. Coach Cal expects that to continue with him back at the three.

“He’ll get time with this group. He will.”