The High Price of Conviction: How Trey Burke’s Anti Vax Stance Ended His NBA Career
In a candid and emotional interview, former NBA guard Trey Burke revealed that his decision to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine effectively ended his career in the league, a sacrifice he made for his personal beliefs despite the devastating personal cost.
The 33-year-old, now playing in Mexico, recounted the painful final chapters of his NBA tenure, marked by declining minutes, a trade, and an irreversible exit from the world’s premier basketball stage.
Burke’s story is a poignant case study from the pandemic era, illustrating the stark intersection of personal conviction, public health policy, and professional sports a conflict that saw other prominent players.
From Bubble Star to NBA Outcast
In the summer of 2020, Trey Burke seemed to have finally found stability and success. After bouncing between five teams in six seasons, he signed a three-year, $9.45 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
His performance in the NBA’s Orlando “bubble” was a revelation; he averaged 12.0 points and 3.8 assists, shooting over 43% from three-point range, and played a crucial role in the Mavericks’ playoff push.
“I think it’s just a part of my greater purpose,” Burke reflected. “And I think I influenced a lot of kids to stand on decisions that they may not have wanted to stand on at that time. But if it’s you and that’s who you are, and that’s what you’re about, sometimes it ain’t about just going after the money and just doing what you are told to.”
Trey Burke’s Decline in Dallas:
| Season/Period | Role & Minutes | Key Context |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 NBA Bubble (Playoffs) | Key rotation player: 26.0 MPG | Shot 43.8% from 3-pt range vs. Clippers. |
| 2020-21 Regular Season | Reduced role: 14.9 MPG | Refused COVID-19 vaccine; team protocols limited unvaccinated players. |
| 2021-22 Regular Season | End of bench: 10.5 MPG | Further marginalized; lost all rotation standing. |
| 2022 Offseason | Traded to OKC, then waived | Mavericks moved on; no other NBA team offered a contract. |
“It was days I came home and I cried, like literally cried because you know, I love this game,” Burke admitted, describing the emotional toll. “Always played to the best I could be and I put a lot of work into this game and when that hit… I just happened to be a part of that era.”
The Final Exit and Life After the NBA
After the 2021-22 season, the Mavericks traded Burke to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who promptly waived him. He attempted a comeback through the G League with the Stockton Kings, playing 29 games, but no NBA call materialized.
“I just think it was a greater agenda in place,” Burke said. “Once I decided not to get it, I kinda seen the end of the road for me in the NBA that next year.”
A Career Defined by a Decision
At 33, Trey Burke’s window for an NBA return is almost certainly closed. His career serves as one of the most definitive examples of the tangible cost of the vaccine mandate era in professional sports.
His story is not one of regret, but of acceptance a narrative of a man who chose his conscience over his career and now lives with the consequences, playing the game he loves far from the bright lights of the NBA, on his own terms.
I hope this article provides a comprehensive look at Trey Burke’s difficult decision and its profound impact on his life. Would you be interested in exploring how other athletes from that era navigated similar vaccine-related challenges?
