Luther Burden

Luther Burden's Biography

Born in Haines City, Florida on February 28, 1953, Luther Dean “Ticky” Burden grew up to be a formidable part of the American basketball scene, making his mark in both the National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA). Burden’s basketball career was multifaceted and intriguing, with exceptional highs and devastating lows.

Burden’s athletic journey began in Albany, New York, at Philip Schuyler High School. It was there that his natural talent for basketball was first cultivated and his prowess on the court started to shine. Known for his agility and skilled play, he soon drew attention to himself as a rising star within his school’s basketball team.

After graduating from high school, Burden continued his academic and athletic pursuits at the University of Utah. His impressive performances remained consistent, peaking in his junior year when he achieved an average of 28.7 points per game and set a remarkable record for the Western Athletic Conference – 359 field goals made in a season.

A significant turning point in Burden’s career was his selection for the United States men’s national basketball team to participate in the 1974 FIBA World Championship. A commendable performance followed, highlighted by Burden claiming the bronze medal and securing an impressive scoring average of 20.2 points per game, a Team USA record that remained unbeaten until the arrival of Kevin Durant in 2010.

Post his stellar run at the University, he turned professional owing to hardship circumstances. Burden was presented with dual opportunities as he was drafted by both the Virginia Squires of the ABA and the New York Knicks of the NBA. The decision fell upon Virginia, a choice Burden later regretted after a tumultuous season marked by a serious confrontation with the team’s coach Bill Musselman.

Moving forward, he moved back to the NBA, joining the Knicks. His time with the Knicks resulted in varying success. Although he managed an average 5.7 points per game in the 61 games he played in the 1976-77 season, his defensive shortcomings prompted Knicks’ coach Willis Reed to bench him in the following season. This led to a frustrating time for Burden, culminating in his eventual release from the team after Reed’s failure to negotiate a trade deal for him.

Life for Burden took a sharp turn on July 3, 1980, when he, along with three others, were charged for a bank robbery in Hempstead, Long Island. Although he was initially sentenced to a term of six to eighteen years subsequent to his accomplices testifying against him, his conviction was overturned by a court after two years. The court stated that the raid executed on Burden’s home was invalid as the detectives lacked proper search or arrest warrants. However, Burden later pleaded guilty to receiving money stolen in the robbery and was released with credit for time served.

Despite his volatile past, Burden found a path of redemption in his later years. By 2010, he worked with the YWCA organization, where he focused on mentoring and coaching young basketball aspirants. His life, however, was plagued with medical complications due to ATTR amyloidosis since 2012. Burden breathed his last on October 29, 2015, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, suffering a fever post cataract surgery.

While Luther Dean “Ticky” Burden’s life was a roller coaster ride of sorts, his name remains etched in the annals of American basketball history. His story is a testament to both his extraordinary talent and the context in which his life unfolded.