Former NBA basketball player visits Westport's Rice College 

RICE College in Westport has hosted the only Irish-born basketball player ever to play in the NBA.

Pat Burke - whose Mayo relatives include Ballinrobe Town soccer player JP O’Gorman - enjoyed a successful NBA career where he played with an against some of the greatest players of all time, including Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James.

Burke spoke the students about his career, which did not begin in earnest until his mid-teenage years.

Recalling some of the positive and negative experiences in his career, the 6’10” centre underlined the importance of not judging other people.

He also highlighted one particularly positive experience he had with a basketball coach who 'changed my life' through encouraging him rather than dismissing his abilities. 

Burke was speaking on foot of an invitation from his relative Dave O'Gorman, who works at the school. Rice College are currently trying to encourage participation in in their recently re-established school basketball team.

During his career, he represented TAU Cerámica, Panathinaikos, Maroussi, Orlando Magic, Gran Canaria, Real Madrid, Phoenix Suns, Khimki BC and Asseco Prokom Sopot.

He also played for Ireland on a number of occasions and is also a former EuroLeague champion, three-time GBL champion, Liga ACB champion, Russian Cup winner, and PLK champion.

Having moved to Cleveland, Ohio, from Tullamore at the age of four, Pat enjoyed a promising underage career in ice hockey before he grew too tall to continue the sport. 

His eye-catching stature saw him take up basketball in his teenage years after much cajoling from his peers.

After a slow start, he secured a scholarship to Auburn College where he had a successful college career before being signed as an un-drafted rookie to New York Knicks.

After spending five seasons playing in Spain and Greece he eventually made his NBA debut with Orlando Magic in in the 2002-2003 season.

During this time, he briefly marked the legendary Michael Jordan during his final home game for the Washington Wizards. 

He left Orlando Magic in 2003 before spending another three seasons in Spain and returned to the NBA in 2005 with Phoenix Suns. 

He described playing for Ireland - whom he once co-captained - as an 'amazing opportunity'. 

Rice College Principal Michael Rabbette told the students to head Pat's advice to be welcoming to students who are more misfortunate than them. 

"That's what today is about, that we look out for one another and lend a helping hand where we can," said Mr Rabbette. 

We will have further cover of Pat Burke’s visit to Rice College, plus an exclusive interview, in next week’s Mayo News.