Junior from southern Wisconsin is a guard to keep an eye on
By Greg Bates
Special to Midwest Collegiate Prospects
Early in his high school basketball career, Matt Burkhart was a solid catch-and-shoot player.
But Burkhart knew adding another element to his arsenal would immensely boost his game.
The junior combo guard out of Union Grove High School (Union Grove, Wis.) hit the weight room hard to bulk up so he could bang with the big boys in the paint. As a freshman, Burkhart went from a scrawny 6-foot-1, 150-pounder who shied away from physical contact to a sophomore who added two inches and 25 pounds of muscle.
“The focus the next two years is being that guy that can aggressively attack you, attack hips, attack shoulders and all that,” Burkhart said.
Adding much-needed weight has helped Burkhart absorb hits in the lane and finish at the basket. The weight has also added confidence that he can battle and persevere inside.
“My goal is to be at 20 points a game this year,” Burkhart said. “You’ve got to let it just work itself out, but that’s definitely a goal for me to be at 20 points a game at the prime time of the season. With the physicality part of it to get in the weight room and all that, I’d definitely say with the fouls number and defensively and getting rebounds is about being more physical. So, getting those numbers up is important.”
Burkhart is transforming into a true triple-threat player — a guy that college coaches live for.
“If I’m recruiting Matt, I’m recruiting him at a 2, catch-and-shoot, come off screens, run the floor, knock down the 15-footer, knock down that 3,” said Burkhart’s dad, Tim. “He shot 74% on kick-outs last year; that’s a big stat.”
Earning His Starts
Burkhart played his freshman year at Rockbridge County High School (Lexington, Va.). He started all 26 games, averaging about nine points, three rebounds and three assists per game. Burkhart shot at an 85% clip at the free throw line and over 40% from the field.
Burkhart’s family moved to Wisconsin following his freshman year. In starting all 26 of Union Grove’s contests, Burkhart put up 10 points — posting a career-high 25-point game — 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
A smooth left-handed shooter, Burkhart admits as a freshman that he was hesitant at times to shoot the ball. That was a big emphasis going into his sophomore campaign.
“I’d sit there and look at them, and then I’d pass it,” Burkhart said. “Sophomore year, I really just learned how to trust that shot and just shoot it. No hesitation. This summer, I’ve been basically just working on my paint game, so adding that huge aspect to your game where you can go in there and make a move and use your footwork of yours to go in the paint and score at the bucket.”
Burkhart would rarely attack the tin. He was accustomed to coming off screens and shooting as well as creating his own looks off the dribble. It was a “big change” when he started working his way inside.
Getting the opportunity to play as a freshman was a game-changer for Burkhart. It was certainly baptism by fire against some guys who were three years older.
“The biggest thing I took away is the physical part of it, so the contact and physicality in general,” Burkhart said. “I learned that you have to be very focused on your body, just outside the game of basketball, weight room is a huge thing. I learned that especially as a freshman, because I was like a fish out of the sea. Going into my sophomore year, that was a huge focus that summer was just getting bigger and stronger.”
As a 6-foot-3 player who can handle the ball and shoot, Burkhart uses his height to his advantage.
“Being 6-3 really helps with being off the ball, which I’ve definitely put into the aspect that if I’ve got a super small player guarding me, I’m not always the guy to bring it up,” Burkhart said. “That can definitely be my position to be the point guard of the team to bring the ball up and handle those situations. But me being a little bit taller helps with being off of it, being a little bit longer, being able to shoot it over players or run the floor or finish over smaller types of guys, whereas for a point guard that’s 5-10 it’s a little bit tougher. I do have that advantage.”
Chip Off the Old Block
Burkhart’s dad, Tim, is constantly helping his son get better on the court; the elder Burkhart knows a thing or two about basketball. After a storied high school basketball career, Tim played collegiately at Alfred State College, SUNY Buffalo and Alfred University. He then spent 10 years playing for the Washington Generals — the rival of the theatrical Harlem Globetrotters.
Tim has always been impressed with his son’s work ethic and trying to be the best basketball player he can be.
“Matt lives in the gym,” Tim said. “He’s very dedicated to his craft. And I have a lot of respect for him because of the things that he does. I know what it takes to get to that level. He has the ability to play mid-major Division I basketball, but there are a lot of kids out there that are very similar to him, have the same type of game. I think Matt’s footwork is outstanding and his handle’s outstanding. I think he’s got a high IQ.
“But at the end of the day, you’ve got to be different. What are you going to do with that program? Why do I recruit Matt Burkhart? What can you do differently than a kid that’s the same type of player as you are? You’ve got to find that fit and you’ve got to find that program. I think every dad wants his kid to play Division I, but I know what he puts into it. If he ends up playing Division II or Division III, I’ll be just as proud of him.”
College Coaches Take Notice
Burkhart is starting to make a name for himself nationally as college basketball programs start to really scout athletes in the class of 2026. This summer, Burkhart played AAU ball for the Milwaukee area club 24:Up. The 16U squad participated in the UA Rise circuit, hitting a number of stops around the country.
“It was a great experience,” Burkhart said. “The two biggest places we went were Georgia and South Carolina, about 13 hours for those two trips.
“The competition was insane — top guys in the country I’m taking on every single game. That’s definitely going to get you that taste of what it is really like.”
The competition will be even better next summer when Burkhart suits up for the Wisconsin Playmakers 17U team. Tim Burkhart believes that the Eau Claire-based program should be a perfect fit for his son.
During the AAU season, a pair of Division I schools conveyed interest in Burkhart. Cornell University’s coaching staff has been in constant touch and Youngstown State University brought Burkhart to its campus for a private workout.
Burkhart — who is a straight-A student — has also received interest from other Ivy League schools, including the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College and Princeton University.
If Matt Burkhart is making his best pitch to a college coach on why he should bring him into their program, the 17-year-old has some solid, straightforward answers.
“Because I’m going to do the right thing for you,” Burkhart said. “I’m going to listen to you. I’m going to run your system correctly. I’m going to fit in for you. I’m not going to be a guy that’s going to try and score 100 for you; I’m going to be a team player. I’m going to get everybody involved. I’m going to build a relationship with you as much as I can. I’m going to make every single player love me. I’m just going to build a relationship, because that’s winning basketball.”