Purple Reign
Headlines often celebrate offensive stars, but basketball insiders know it's the defense that separates pretenders from contenders. For the Kingsmen basketball team, that defensive anchor is forward Desi Burrage. The reigning SCIAC Defensive Player of the Year, Burrage is one of nine talented seniors on a team that returns the bulk of its roster from last year's 23-5 campaign. His versatility is unmatched; as head coach Russell White puts it, "He can guard five positions. He's strong, physical and tough. He can guard anyone we need him to guard." A standout on and off the court, the Scottsdale, Arizona, native was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team in 2023.
Here are some questions to get to know Cal Lutheran's super stopper from the desert:
Q: Given that you're a business finance major, if you had one company to invest in over the next 10 years, what would it be?
A: Some sort of biotech company.
Q: Favorite place to grab a bite near campus (and your go-to order)
A: That one taco truck by the 101 off Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Gotta get an al pastor burrito with a horchata.
Q: Favorite city you've visited with your teammates
A: Easy one: Chicago was awesome!Â
Q: You and a friend get a weekend in Scottsdale … one place you have to hit up
A: Cheba Hut (toasted subs)
Q: Favorite artist to listen to before a game to get you in that competitive mindset
A: Loe Shimmy — Zombieland 2.6 album
Q: Favorite basketball player of all time
A: The GOAT himself, LeBron JamesÂ
Q: Do your friends/teammates have a nickname for you? What is it?
A: No, but my teammates like to say "Desiiiiiii"Â
Q: SCIAC opponent you most enjoy beating
A: Used to be Redlands but now Chapman and Coach Kyle (Milligan)
Q: Biggest change you've seen in yourself since freshman to senior yearÂ
A: I went from being super shy and didn't do anything to the complete oppositeÂ
Q: Cryptocurrency … buy or sell?Â
A: Sell it
Q: The greatest CEO in America right now is …
A: Jeff Bezos. I love Amazon Prime.
Q: MJ or Kobe?
A: Such a tough question, but I'm going with Kobe.
Q: Big dunk or big block?
A: Big dunk for sureÂ
Q: NBA Finals or March Madness?
A: March MadnessÂ
Q: Who won … Kendrick or Drake?
A: Kendrick murdered him but Drake is still my favorite.
Q. What phone app do you spend waaaaay too much time on?
A: Instagram and TikTok are tied for first.Â
Q: Greatest sports video game ever made?
A: NBA Jam but the Xbox 360 version
Q: When you're not playing basketball, your favorite thing to do is …
A: Watch movies. Interstellar is the best movie of all time.Â
Q: What would be your dream job after graduation?
A: Anywhere I can have a great work-life balanceÂ
