University of Minnesota Athletics
Willie Burton - M Club Hall of Fame
Willie Burton
Class of 2010
Basketball: 1986-90
Arguably one of the greatest basketball players to ever attend the University of Minnesota, Willie Burton came to Gold Country as one of Clem Haskins first recruits and left as the second-leading scorer in program history and an NBA Lottery pick.
Burton came to Minnesota in 1986 but before he would leave for the NBA in 1990, he would lead the program to heights it hadn't seen before. Burton was a leader of a Gopher team that made it to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments, including the 1989 Sweet 16 and the 1990 Elite Eight.
Burton was a four-year starter for Coach Haskins and left the university with his name all over the Gopher record books. He finished with 1,800 career points, second all-time, in 118 games for an average of 15.3 points per game, the 16th highest in program history. He is also the school leader in free throws made (426) and attempted (569).
A 6-7 forward at the 'U', Burton led the team in scoring for three straight seasons, including 557 points as a junior (tied for 12th in a season at Minnesota) and 616 points as a senior (fourth all-time). He was a three-time Team MVP (1988-90) and was named Big Ten Honorable Mention as a sophomore (1988), All-Big Ten Second Team as a junior (1989) and All-Big Ten First Team as a senior.
The ninth overall selection of the 1990 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, Burton went on to play a combined eight seasons in the NBA with the Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Hornets. He scored over 3,000 career points, including 53 in a game as a 76er against the Miami Heat. Burton finished his career with averages of 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 21.0 minutes per game in 316 career contests.
Burton returned to the University in 2012 to complete his degree.