Former Memphis Tigers basketball star Antonio Burks and another man were shot during the course of a drive-up robbery Monday night in Memphis.  Burks is being reported to be in critical condition.

Police say the 29-year-old Burks was shot in the lower torso. Police say he underwent surgery at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis Monday evening and was returned to surgery at about 10 p.m. CDT because of internal bleeding.

Memphis police told The Commercial Appeal that three men pulled up to a house where Burks and four other men were outside. Police say the three robbed the five men, then shot Burks and another man, whose injuries weren’t critical.

Burks was the Conference USA Player of the Year his senior season at Memphis. He went on to be drafted by the Orlando Magic and then traded to his hometown Memphis Grizzlies on draft night.  He has spent parts of the last three years playing overseas in Europe.

UPDATE from WMCTV-5

Anthony Jefferson, who drove Burks to the hospital, said the former basketball star came up to him bleeding badly with a gunshot wound.

“I was at my truck and heard a gunshot, saw a man running up the street, asked could I run him to the hospital,” Jefferson said.

He didn’t hesitate, driving Burks to The MED as fast as he safely could.

“He was telling me to go through lights,” Jefferson said. “I said, ‘Both of us don’t need to be at the hospital!’”

Jefferson called 911 on the way.  He said Burks managed to stay conscious the whole time.

“He said if he don’t make it, tell his family no to cry for him,” Jefferson said.  “Looked like he was going to pass out.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Antonio for a quick and full recovery.