Markus Burton sends shockwaves through Notre Dame Basketball
One of the best players to come through Notre Dame Basketball in quite some time is looking at leaving South Bend. But is he really?
On a relatively peaceful Thursday afternoon, Notre Dame Basketball fans got a jolt. Freshman guard Markus Burton announced he was entering the NBA Draft. I'd imagine many people who read that headline had their hearts stopped a bit.
Burton is one of the best players to come through South Bend in quite some time. He was a true freshman who had a fantastic debut in his very first game for Notre Dame Basketball and seemed only to get better as the season wore on.
And now he's headed to the NBA. Or is he?
"Over the past few weeks I've looked for ways to better my game for my sophomore season," Burton wrote in a graphic posted on Instagram. "While maintaining my eligibility at Notre Dame, I will enter my name into the NBA Draft. The valuable feedback I will receive from this experience will pay dividends on and off the court."
The announcement itself gives the game away. Burton is looking to hear from NBA officials on what he can do to get better for his sophomore season. This isn't an about face. At least it doesn't seem like it is. This isn't a Notre Dame Basketball player who has decided he's not coming back for another season.
He's saying that barring news like "you're going to be a Top 5 pick" he's going to take whatever feedback he gets from the NBA and use it to the Fighting Irish's benefit.
Notre Dame Basketball fans can likely sleep easy
There is, of course, a chance that Burton could hear something he really likes and decide that he'd rather go pro. The lure of the NBA is hard to resist. Especially when you've already dominated the ACC in your first season in college.
At least for now, Burton is just trying to up his game. He's using any means that are available to him.