Burns Yet to Make Mark on UCLA Basketball Team

Marquis Burns has never been introduced to Gary Franklin. He had never heard of Franklin until last week.

But Burns, a sophomore guard on UCLA’s basketball team, perhaps already knows too much about Franklin, who played at UCLA from 1972-74.

Some of Burns’ closest followers have begun to ask him Gary Franklin-type questions after watching the former two-time All-City guard sit each game in his warm-up suit for all but an average of six minutes this season.

Questions like, “Weren’t you supposed to be a starter?,” “Are you in the coach’s dog house?” and “Why can’t you get more playing time?”

To which Burns sheepishly replies, “I don’t know.”

Burns was a 6-foot-4 scoring sensation his senior season at Reseda High, averaging 26.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Franklin also was a standout at Reseda--a Valley star expected to burn bright for Coach John Wooden. That never happened, and now 20 years later, Burns could be wearing Franklin’s unbroken sneakers.

“I’ve been hearing a lot of stories about it,” Burns said. “A lot of people have been bringing that up. Hopefully, that won’t happen to me.”

One might wonder if it’s fair to compare Burns and Franklin considering Burns is a true sophomore.

Yet Burns--the expected heir to Mitchell Butler at off guard--is barely getting more playing time this season than last when he averaged 5.3 minutes and 0.6 points.

His prospects have been usurped by Charles O’Bannon, perhaps the best freshman shooting guard in the nation. Coach Jim Harrick has given Burns only spot duty through the first four games--all blowouts.

Burns is getting eight minutes and 4.1 points per game.

Those numbers were bolstered by the 19 minutes and 11 points Burns posted in Monday’s 93-72 victory over Houston. Both were career highs.

In his last three games, Burns has produced five steals, six rebounds and six assists in 33 minutes. He leads the team in steals (1.7 per game), but it remains apparent that Charles O’Bannon (averaging 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds) is the man at shooting guard.

“At first it was real frustrating,” Burns said. “I wasn’t used to sitting in high school. But these are all high school all-stars here; many of them were All-Americans. It’s hard to play basketball at UCLA, just because everybody’s so good.

“But I hope by midseason (Harrick will) see some of the things I can do and start using me more during Pac-10 games.”

Burns said his transition to Division I basketball wasn’t smooth because he wasn’t physical enough. He said he got pushed around by Shon Tarver (Santa Clara High) every day in practice.

But a summer of pick-up games with NBA guards Mark Jackson and Sedale Threatt helped Burns grow up. Former Bruin and NBA veteran Kiki Vandeweghe taught Burns new moves in daily workouts. But Burns wonders if Harrick has noticed the improvement.

“I don’t think he’s seen enough of what I can do during a game,” Burns said. “If I had more minutes, he might see a little more. I don’t think he’s had a full look yet.”

When he does play, Burns is used primarily for defense and rebounding.

“Of course, I can hit the open shot when I get it,” he said. “I feel very comfortable with that role, and I’m prepared to do a lot more scoring my junior and senior year.”

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Checking the fax: New Mexico guard Eric Thomas (Rio Mesa) finds himself in a similar spot as Burns. Thomas has appeared in only three games for the Lobos (6-1), playing 10 minutes and averaging 1.3 points. . . . Stanford junior guard David Harbour (Camarillo) has been dubbed “king of floor burns” because of his hustle. He averages 6.6 points and 2.6 rebounds, though he struck for 14 points in 15 minutes against Cal State Northridge. . . . Reggie Bell (College of the Canyons) has helped Quincy (Ill.) to a 6-1 start by averaging 21.7 points and 11.3 rebounds, both team highs. . . . Nevada Las Vegas punter Brad Faunce (Hoover High/Glendale College) was named a third-team All-American by Associated Press after averaging 45 yards a kick.