Santa Clara University

Will Burkett is entering his 10th total season with Santa Clara men's basketball. The 2026-27 season will be his second year solely in a coaching capacity after previously serving as both an assistant coach and the program's director of operations in 2024-25. Prior to that, the Watsonville, Calif. product held multiple positions on staff since 2017, including director of operations and video coordinator, in addition to two years as a graduate assistant. 

In his first season as assistant coach, Burkett helped guide the Broncos to one of their most successful campaigns in program history in 2025-26. SCU put together a 26-8 overall record, including a 15-3 mark in WCC play, en route to the program's first appearance in the WCC Championship Tournament Final since 2007 and their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1996. Redshirt freshman Allen Graves was selected 19th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, giving the Broncos their third first round selection over the last five years. 

Burkett graduated from Santa Clara in 2017 after spending two years with the basketball program. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard saw action in six games as a senior in 2016-17 following one year as a practice player. He joined the staff following graduation with a bachelor's degree in management.

The native of Watsonville, Calif., played two seasons at Monterey Peninsula College where he earned All-California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) honors as a sophomore in 2014-15 by averaging 10.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

Burkett was a two-year starter at St. Francis Central Coast Catholic. He was a first-team All-Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League selection as a senior when he averaged 16.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.7 blocks per game. He also lettered two seasons on the golf team. 

Burkett is married to Michelle (Gajdka) Burkett, a fellow graduate of Santa Clara, who played for the Broncos' volleyball program for four seasons from 2016-19.