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Gophers to Raise Banner Honoring Willie Burton in January
10/23/2019 3:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
One of the greatest players in Minnesota men's basketball history will soon find his name among the legends of Williams Arena, as Willie Burton (1986-90) will be honored this season.
A ceremony to recognize Burton will take place during halftime of the Gophers' nationally-televised home game against Michigan State on Sunday, January 26. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. on FOX.
Burton, the third-leading scorer in program history, played four seasons with the Maroon and Gold and helped lead the program to previously unmatched heights. He led the team in scoring both his junior (18.6) and senior (19.3) seasons, both NCAA Tournament years. His senior squad advanced to the Elite Eight, earning March Madness victories over UTEP, Northern Iowa and Syracuse before falling to Georgia tech at the Superdome in New Orleans.
The Detroit native arrived in Minneapolis in the fall of 1986 and left his mark upon the program record books, finishing his career behind Mychal Thompson (1,992) atop the career scoring records with 1,800 points – a mark that was eclipsed just last season by Jordan Murphy (1,802).Â
Burton is second among all Gophers in free throws made (426) and fifth in made field goals (646). He is one of just two Gopher players in program history to tally more than 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 200 assists.
Burton was a first round draft pick by the NBA's Miami Heat, going ninth and playing four seasons with that franchise before stops with the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Hornets. In eight seasons in the NBA, Burton scored more than 3,200 points and 900 rebounds, averaging 10.3 points in 316 career games.
A ceremony to recognize Burton will take place during halftime of the Gophers' nationally-televised home game against Michigan State on Sunday, January 26. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. on FOX.
Burton, the third-leading scorer in program history, played four seasons with the Maroon and Gold and helped lead the program to previously unmatched heights. He led the team in scoring both his junior (18.6) and senior (19.3) seasons, both NCAA Tournament years. His senior squad advanced to the Elite Eight, earning March Madness victories over UTEP, Northern Iowa and Syracuse before falling to Georgia tech at the Superdome in New Orleans.
The Detroit native arrived in Minneapolis in the fall of 1986 and left his mark upon the program record books, finishing his career behind Mychal Thompson (1,992) atop the career scoring records with 1,800 points – a mark that was eclipsed just last season by Jordan Murphy (1,802).Â
Burton is second among all Gophers in free throws made (426) and fifth in made field goals (646). He is one of just two Gopher players in program history to tally more than 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 200 assists.
Burton was a first round draft pick by the NBA's Miami Heat, going ninth and playing four seasons with that franchise before stops with the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Hornets. In eight seasons in the NBA, Burton scored more than 3,200 points and 900 rebounds, averaging 10.3 points in 316 career games.
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