When the top pro basketball prospects tied up their shoes at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp starting June 4 in Chicago, Ill., a Ute was among them.

Former U center Chris Burgess, who led the 2001-02 Utes in points (13.2) and rebounds (7.2) before he went down with a season-ending torn ligament injury December 29, 2001, was one of the “60 best [prospects] in the world” invited to the camp, he said.

“It’s the first break I’ve gotten?Now I’m ready to go out and do it,” Burgess said.

Burgess has been training in Sarasota, Fla., with hopes of getting an invitation to the prestigious camp, which gives NBA scouts a last chance to evaluate the players before the June 26 draft.

Upon requests from Burgess’s agent, U coach Rick Majerus and New York Knicks President Scott Layden, Burgess received an invite.

“My goal is not to be bashful. [If I do that], I’m going to do fine,” Burgess said.

“I feel confident. I’ve been playing with great players [at the Sarasota training facility], and my condition and strength is good.”