BIO: Alonzo Burton was born in New Plymouth (New Zealand).

He was a part of the New Zealand Under 16 squad that beat Australia in 2009 (also included Jordan Ngatai, Steve Adams).

FAMILY: His father Willie played for the Manawatu Jets in the NZNBL from 1985-86 and 1989-90. He also had a long tenure with the Bay Hawks and a stint in Taranaki.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Alonzo Burton made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 20 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Burton, Jack Salt, Luuk Witteveen, and Duane Bailey all joined the Breakers in 2013 as Development Players, joining a New Zealand roster that was undergoing a major coaching change.

“At first I couldn’t stop smiling, I think it is the most I’ve smiled in my life, I have put the work into it though and was so happy to hear I had secured a opportunity. Coming into the SKYCITY Breakers with all their values and success, I am excited but nervous for the new challenges ahead of me. I aim to put in the work and get a full time spot at the Breakers, then go from there. Everyone’s dream is to make the NBA, that is dream of mine too, maybe go to Europe, but definitely to play professionally. For now it is all about working hard and learn all I can from the players. I just want to get better, develop, be a sponge and learn from the veterans. Short term is to get into the Breakers proper, but I know I have maybe 3 or 4 years in a development spot if I can take my opportunities, I will work hard and see what happens.”said Burton upon signing his development player deal.

After winning three consecutive championships with New Zealand, Lemanis was named head coach of the Australian men’s national basketball team. His departure saw assistant Dean Vickerman elevated to head coach and tasked with extending the Breakers championship streak.

Vickerman was taking over a Breakers squad that had lost star import Cedric Jackson (Europe) and Dillon Boucher through retirement and, as a result, started the season poorly, losing three out of their first four games. The poor start led to Vickerman sending out a SOS to former Breakers favourite and two-time champion Gary Wilkinson (15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists), who joined the team in late October. Then in December, perhaps motivated by the team’s sluggish start, veteran CJ Bruton (6.1 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) let it be known he would retire at the end of the season just prior to playing the 500th game of his career. By January, the Breakers made a second move and brought in Casey Frank (5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) to replace the injured Alex Pledger (10.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks), who had multiple stints on the sidelines and only managed to appear in 13 games.

American guard Kerron Johnson (12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals), who had signed as a replacement for Jackson, struggled to fill the large void left at the point guard spot, and Thomas Abercrombie (15.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists) had to shoulder the load for much of the season, finding himself with a lack of space due to Johnson’s lacklustre range. After not being able to put more than two consecutive wins together all year, they ended their season in seventh place (11–17).

The positives for the season came in the form of career-high scoring efforts from young guard duo Corey Webster (8.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) and Reuben Te Rangi (5.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 assists) whose improving play showed promise for the Breakers future.

On 21 March 2014, Bruton played his final NBL game in front of a huge Breakers’ crowd at Vector Arena in a loss to Cairns (83-95).

Burton appeared in 8 games and scored a total of five points.

Alonzo Burton played one season in the NBL. He averaged 0.6 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0 assists in 8 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (811 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.