Willie Burnett III
"6’5 class of 2026 point guard"
Mississippi State
Rankings sourced from 247Sports, ESPN, On3, and Rivals. Learn how we aggregate data →
Scout Report
When a 6-4 combo guard finds his way to the same prep academy as three other top-320 national prospects, something special is brewing. That's exactly what Mississippi State coaches saw when they watched tape from Gillion Academy and locked up Willie Burnett III's commitment earlier than most programs even knew he was available.
Background
Burnett hails from Springfield, Virginia, where he developed his fundamentals before making the move to Gillion Basketball Academy for his prep career. The academy environment has proven to be the perfect incubator for his development, surrounded by elite talent including Florida State commit Marcis Ponder and Arkansas State-bound Aaron McGee. Playing in that competitive daily practice environment has accelerated his growth and taught him how to compete against high-level athletes consistently. His family made the commitment to the prep route knowing it would maximize his exposure and development during these crucial years.
Playing Style
Burnett operates as a true combo guard who can initiate offense or play off the ball depending on what his team needs. He's got the size to see over smaller defenders when running pick-and-roll actions and the basketball IQ to make the right read consistently. His pace is controlled but never sluggish - he understands when to push tempo and when to let the defense set up so he can attack in the halfcourt. Defensively, his 6-4 frame allows him to guard both backcourt positions effectively, and he uses his length to disrupt passing lanes without gambling for steals. What separates him from other guards his size is his decision-making under pressure - he rarely forces shots or makes careless turnovers even when the defense keys on him. In transition, he's excellent at finding the right balance between looking for his own scoring opportunities and setting up teammates for easy buckets.
Strengths
His basketball IQ jumps off the tape immediately - Burnett processes the game at a high level for someone his age and makes winning plays consistently. The combination of size and skill allows him to score from all three levels, with a particularly smooth mid-range game that college coaches love to see. His passing vision is advanced, and he delivers the ball on time and on target whether it's a simple entry pass or a more complex read in traffic. Perhaps most importantly, he competes on both ends of the floor with the same intensity and never takes defensive possessions off.
Areas to Watch
Adding more explosion to his first step would help him create easier scoring opportunities against athletic college defenders. His three-point shooting is solid but developing more range and consistency from deep would make him even more dangerous as a floor spacer. The physical development will be key - adding functional strength without losing his fluidity will help him finish through contact at the rim more consistently.
Player Comparison
He reminds me of a young Marcus Smart in terms of his basketball IQ and two-way impact, though Burnett is a more natural scorer. Like Smart, he affects winning in ways that don't always show up in the box score and has the size to guard multiple positions. The decision-making and leadership qualities are similar, even if the athletic profiles differ slightly.
Recruitment
Mississippi State moved quickly to secure his commitment, recognizing his value before other major programs fully entered the picture. His offer sheet includes a solid mix of Power 4 programs like Florida State and Oklahoma State, along with strong mid-major options like Western Kentucky and George Mason. The fact that he committed to Mississippi State relatively early suggests he felt comfortable with their development plan and saw a clear path to playing time. With Chris Jans building something special in Starkville, Burnett could be a perfect fit for their system that values smart, versatile players who can contribute immediately.
Projection
At the college level, he projects as a four-year contributor who could start by his sophomore season if his development continues on its current trajectory. His ceiling is as a multi-year starter for a tournament team who provides steady leadership and versatility in the backcourt. Professional opportunities could emerge if he continues developing his athleticism and three-point shooting, but his basketball IQ and winning mentality will keep him in the game long-term regardless.
Updated Apr 4, 2026 · Analysis by PrepRadar Scouting Team
Career Journey
Mississippi State
COLLEGE
Gillion Basketball Academy
PREP SCHOOL
Offers
8
Mississippi State
Committed
Chose Mississippi State over 7 other offers
Oklahoma State
Florida State
Arkansas State
Western KentuckyOffers sourced from 247Sports and social media monitoring.
Social Activity
ELITE handles 🔥 @CityOfPalmsBKB Willie Burnett III is the 77th ranked player in the 2026 SC Next 100. https://x.com/SCNext/status/2002842349928644927/video/1
Willie Burnett III. 𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐆. #HailState | @Burnettwillie_ https://x.com/HailStateMBK/status/1989055617194144199/photo/1
Team Breakdown guard Willie Burnett has committed to Mississippi State 📌: @RossVDG14 @SHReport @Burnettwillie_ @WorldWideJp_ @GillionAcadTeam @TeamBreakdown https://t.co/YC9Nx0bbyN