Scott Burrell

Scott David Burrell (born January 12, 1971) is an American retired professional basketball player and current Head coach for Southern Connecticut State University. He has played internationally and was also a professional baseball player. Burrell was also the first American athlete to be a first round draft-pick of two major sporting organizations (the NBA and MLB).

Early life

Burrell was born in New Haven, Connecticut. A 6'7" multi-sport star at Hamden High School in Connecticut, Burrell was drafted by baseball's Seattle Mariners during his senior year. The Mariners wanted to develop Burrell as a pitcher and suggested that he bypass college for the minor leagues. However, Burrell wanted to attend college and made plans to play baseball at the University of Miami (FL) before University of Connecticut assistant basketball coach Howie Dickenman convinced Burrell to play basketball for the Huskies.

College career

After his freshman year at University of Connecticut, Burrell was drafted by another baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays, and Burrell decided to spend his summers playing minor league baseball while concentrating on basketball for the rest of the year. Burrell's basketball career would quickly overshadow his baseball career, however, as he became the first player in NCAA history to compile over 1,500 points, 750 rebounds, 275 assists and 300 steals. Scott is known for his full court pass with 1 second on the clock to Tate George, who hit a shot as time expired to beat Clemson in the East Regional Semi-final in the 1990 NCAA tournament.