Villanova in the Pros: Tyler Burton Making a Successful Audition

After the Memphis Grizzlies called him up to the NBA with a 10-day hardship exemption due to a series of injuries, Villanova product Tyler Burton struggled to make much of an impact, going five-of-28 from the field with an average of five points scored over his first four games.

Something clicked for the 6-foot-7, 215 pound forward after that, however, as Burton went off for 23 points in a loss to the Boston Celtics, making five of nine three-point shots with five rebounds and two assists, showing the combination of height and scoring ability that makes him a threat on the wing. Burton endured a whirlwind of an NBA call-up, playing six games in ten days.

Memphis re-upped his contract on Monday, March 23, giving Burton another 10-day tryout. Typically teams can only sign a player to two 10-day contracts in a single season, but the hardship exemption provides the Grizzlies with more flexibility. With this contract set to expire on April 1 and their regular season running through April 12, Memphis can ink Burton to a third and final deal to cover the final games of the season, giving him a continued chance to prove that he belongs in the NBA.

He and the Grizzlies will next take the court at 7:30 p.m. EDT on March 23. Burton is one of two Villanova products in the Grizzlies’ organization right now: the program’s all-time leading scorer, Eric Dixon, went to the Memphis Hustle, their G-League affiliate, in a trade earlier this season and has since settled into a scoring groove.