| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 June 1962 Georgia, United States |
| Nationality | American / New Zealand |
| Listed height | 201 cm (6 ft 7 in) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Jenkins County (Millen, Georgia) |
| College | Tennessee (1980–1984) |
| NBA draft | 1984: 6th round, 125th overall pick |
| Selected by the Denver Nuggets | |
| Playing career | 1985–2006 |
| Position | Power forward |
| Career history | |
| 1985–1986 | Palmerston North Jets |
| 1987–1988 | Hawke's Bay Hawks |
| 1989–1990 | Palmerston North Jets |
| 1991–1993 | New Plymouth Bulls/Bears |
| 1994–1997 | Hawke's Bay Hawks |
| 1999–2000 | Palmerston North Jets |
| 2001–2002, 2005–2006 | Hawke's Bay Hawks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Willie James Burton Jr. (born 24 June 1962) is an American-New Zealand former professional basketball player who spent 19 seasons playing in the New Zealand National Basketball League (NBL). Burton came to New Zealand in the mid-1980s to play for Palmerston North and became a league legend. He kept himself in great shape and was still playing top basketball when he turned 40. He won six rebounding titles and ranks as the league's all-time leader around the boards. He finished his career with 4,244 career rebounds, nearly 1,500 rebounds more than the next best individual rebounding total.[1]