Four to follow in the NBL in 2014 –No 3
Alonzo Burton is another player whose star is on the rise.
Burton has been a member of the HBS Bank Hawks for the past two seasons but has taken himself “out of his comfort zone” for the 2014 season, joining the Darron Larsen coached Manawatu Jets.
Burton has prospered from being a Breakers development player for the past seven months. Not surprisingly he didn’t receive much court time with the Breakers but his spell being a full time professional has advanced his game considerably as evidenced by some of his performances in Auckland club basketball.
The club scene may not be NBL standard but witnessing Alonzo recently cruise to 44 points against handy opposition that included the wily Hayden Allen suggests that he is poised to make a mark in 2014. The wiry 20 year old has developed a sweet looking shot and with improved strength, fitness and finesse we can expect his court time with the Jets to be greater than that he experienced with the Hawks.
Last season he only averaged 5.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game – expect a lot more from the 6’4” shooting guard this season.
LACEY LOWDOWN 