Though Charles Barkley would strongly disagree, athletes are role models.  Some are better than others; some are more willing than others and many are unworthy of the honor.  I don't condone it....I'd rather have my kids view me, my wife, their older siblings and our immediate family members as role models, but as sports junkies, I suppose its inevitable to have them try and emulate certain players. I would not have an issue with my kids looking up to Trey Burke.  He was just named Big Ten Player of the Year by both the media and the coaches.  He is one of finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the best point guard in the country and he is one of 15 finalists for the John Wooden Award, handed out to the best player in the nation. I wouldn't mind my kids viewing him as a role model for all the reasons other than his basketball statistics and accomplishments.  Burke embodies what is good in college athletics.  He helps ease the concerns that the older generation might have with today's younger player by constantly showing character and leadership.  In a world (especially in sports) where we are consumed with fake reality TV and self-promoting stars, Burke is a refreshing diversion of a star player who is quicker to share the credit with his teammates and coaches than toot his own horn.  In a world of basketball where guys want to see themselves on sports highlights dunking and pounding their chest, Burke goes about his business in a quiet yet confident manner without the flare that screams "look at me," taking as much pride in his pinpoint passing and improved defense than he does with his conference-leading scoring average.  I recently asked Trey Burke recently why he thinks he earned the conference p.o.y. award and he was as uncomfortable as a kid going to his first dentist appointment.  He just doesn't like talking about himself, rather highlighting how important Tim Hardaway or Jordan Morgan have been to the teams success, or how important the tutoring of assistant coach LaVall Jordan has been to his progress; or how John Beilein's offensive system is a "dream" for a point guard.  Michigan's basketball team has a saying "the team, the team, the team" and Burke symbolizes it better than any athlete I've met both on the floor and off it.  Earlier this year, Burke and Hardaway noticed they took too many shots in a game and they apologized to the team and said it wouldn't happen again.  How many stars would ever do that, no matter the sport? Most would say, "$#@! it, I'm the best and I deserve to take more shots than anyone else." Not Burke.  He is conscious of what he means to the team, to the school and the community and he takes it seriously.  He gets players and others to follow him, not just because he's a great player, but because he's a grade A person as well.  He's well respected for his actions on the court and in the classroom; in the lockerroom and in the community.  I suppose the best way to talk about Burke is to say he's as good person as he is a player and that's pretty special.