Brindisi already cuddles Burnell: “True team man.”
Burnell’s career narrative
Burn-(h)ell: from the last name, a play on words that clearly reveals the DNA of Jason, new acquisition of Happy Casa Brindisi. Tenacity, will to fight, heart, determination. An all-rounder, team man. “Defense is something I take very seriously and personally. I am a tough physical defender. I will never let you get something easy, I always try to be able to be able to help my teammates.”
Born and raised with basketball in his DNA, basketball could only be his life ambition following in his father’s footsteps. Jason initially attended Deland High School, where he averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds per game, then decided to transfer to Providence High School in Jacksonville, Florida, to be close to his father.
His first real transition year was at Georgia Southern University, a difficult time in his career where he was able to learn valuable lessons for the future.
The following year he makes the courageous decision to take a few steps back and accept an offer from St.Petersburg College, in Division 5. Winning choice because Jason finds himself again and leads the team to the Eastern Florida State College victory by turning out MVP at 20.1 points 10.9 rebounds and 1.4 rebounds per game.
Jason does not let up, in fact he doubles. His performance again attracts Division I attention and he joins Jacksonville State to complete his final two years at NCAA. Here he writes a pivotal chapter in his life and career. As a junior he averaged 11.2 points and 6 rebounds; as a senior he climbed to 17 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3 assists per game.
Epic was the battle against Ja Morant (now an NBA star) in a memorable 22-point, 11-rebound game in the semifinals of the OVC tournament, when the point guard now at the Memphis Grizzlies scored the 32nd point of the victory with seconds left.
Once his collegiate experience was over, the doors to Europe, to Italy, opened wide. In Cantù in his rookie year, he was one of the best revelations in the league to the tune of 11.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals on average before the forced break.
Banco di Sardegna Sassari chooses to invest in him for the LBA-Champions League double commitment. In his first year he averaged 12 points with 58 percent from two, 37 percent from three, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists while staying on the court for an impressive 31 minutes per contest. Double-digit numbers confirmed in his European experience as well. Last season he turns out the MVP of the playoff series won against Brescia, always in double figures in the four challenges leading Dinamo to the semifinals.
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