Kevin Burleson (born September 29, 1987) is an American former professional basketball player and current basketball coach. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and various overseas leagues before transitioning to coaching, most recently serving as an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets of the NBA.
Early life and education
Kevin Burleson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended Hopkins High School in Minnetonka, Minnesota, where he played high school basketball and earned all-conference honors. Burleson enrolled at the University of Minnesota, playing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team from 2006 to 2010. Over his collegiate career, he developed a reputation as a defensive specialist and contributed to the team's appearances in the NCAA tournament.
Professional playing career
NBA
- Chicago Bulls (2011–2012): After going undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft, Burleson signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls. He appeared in 25 regular‑season games, averaging 4.1 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.
- Charlotte Bobcats (2012–2013): Burleson signed with the Charlotte Bobcats for the 2012–13 season, appearing in 27 games and providing defensive depth off the bench.
International and Development Leagues
Following his NBA tenure, Burleson played in the NBA Development League (now the G League) for the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He subsequently signed contracts with several overseas clubs, including:
- PAOK (Greece, 2013–2014)
- Maccabi Ashdod (Israel, 2014)
- Trotamundos de Carabobo (Venezuela, 2015)
He also had brief stints with teams in Italy and South Korea. Burleson retired from professional play in 2018.
Coaching career
After retiring, Burleson entered coaching. He began as an assistant coach for the Austin Spurs, the NBA G League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs, where he worked on player development and defensive schemes. In 2022, he was hired by the Denver Nuggets as a player development coach, a role that involves mentoring young players, scouting, and assisting with practice planning. As of the latest publicly available information, he remains on the Nuggets' coaching staff.
Personal life
Kevin Burleson is married and has children. He is involved in community outreach programs focused on youth mentorship and basketball clinics in the Minneapolis area.
References
- NBA.com player profile, Kevin Burleson.
- University of Minnesota Athletics archives, men’s basketball roster, 2006–2010.
- Denver Nuggets official coaching staff announcements, 2022.
- Various reputable sports news outlets (e.g., ESPN, The Athletic) reporting on Burleson's playing and coaching moves.
