'This is really home': Trey Burke's Michigan jersey raised to the rafters

James Hawkins, The Detroit News on Jan 23, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Make it the honored six.

Trey Burke, the former Michigan star who led the Wolverines to the 2013 national title game, had his No. 3 jersey raised to the Crisler Center rafters at halftime of Friday’s contest against Ohio State.

Burke, a 6-foot guard from Columbus, Ohio, is the first men’s basketball player to receive the recognition in 20 years and sixth overall, joining fellow program greats Cazzie Russell, Bill Buntin, Phil Hubbard, Glen Rice and Rudy Tomjanovich.

Burke gave a heartfelt speech and thanked the many who helped him along the way before his jersey banner was hoisted to the ceiling.

“I started this journey as a kid, just dreaming for the next generation,” Burke said during his speech. “It started with a prayer. I was always overlooked. I always played with a chip on my shoulder. I always was an underdog, but I never allowed that to identify who I was.

“Ultimately that was my goal, to see how good I could get. And basketball was like a safe space for me since I was a kid, something that I love to do. Do what you love to do. If it's something that you're doing that you don't love to do, find out what it is. Find out what makes you happy. Spread more love as people who need to do that more. It's the highest currency out here.

“Man, I had a great time here. This is really home.”

John Beilein, the program’s winningest coach, was among those in attendance for the ceremony, along with many of Burke’s former teammates from the 2011-12 and 2012-13 teams.

Throughout the first half, video messages from Burke’s former teammates and coaches as well as Michigan coach Dusty May were played on the scoreboard congratulating Burke. Before Burke addressed the crowd, there was a highlight video that featured his top moments.

Burke’s number is the fifth to be honored, along with Buntin’s No. 22, Hubbard’s No. 35, Rice’s No. 41 and Tomjanovich’s No. 45. Russell’s No. 33 is the only one that’s retired and can’t be worn by any Michigan players.

During his stellar two-year career, Burke racked up the accolades and set several program records while leading Michigan to a level of success it hadn’t seen in decades. He powered the Wolverines to a share of the 2012 Big Ten regular-season title, the program’s first in 26 years, and to the 2013 Final Four, the program’s first appearance in two decades.

The rest of Burke’s résumé speaks for itself: consensus National Player of the Year, consensus first-team All-American, Big Ten Player of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, two-time All-Big Ten selection and No. 9 pick in the 2013 NBA draft. He had iconic moments that are etched in program lore, like the late steal and score against Michigan State and the tying 3-pointer against Kansas in the Sweet 16.

He averaged 16.9 points and 5.7 rebounds in 73 games, with 72 starts. He set the Michigan freshman assist record with 156, holds the single-season record with 260 assists, and scored the most points ever by a Michigan sophomore with 727 points.

“To be able to come to such a great university and to see the impact that I made on people, for them to put my jersey in the rafters forever, to leave my legacy here and the mark that I left here, I'm filled with joy,” Burke said before the game.

“To be able to come back and get my flowers, I think we need to do that more with everybody. … I think the highest currency out here is love, and I think we need to give more love off to each other. That's what I'm feeling right now, so much love. I'm trying to put words to it, but I'm just happy.”