Prospect Spotlight: Isaiah Burton (2017)
SPRINGFIELD — Raytown 2017 wing Isaiah Burton is among the Kansas City area’s most versatile players, capable of handling the point or defending in the post. He is a long, athletic 6-foot-4 guard that can handle the ball, shoot from…
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Continue ReadingSPRINGFIELD — Raytown 2017 wing Isaiah Burton is among the Kansas City area’s most versatile players, capable of handling the point or defending in the post.
He is a long, athletic 6-foot-4 guard that can handle the ball, shoot from the outside, and defend at a high level.
“I am a very versatile player,” Burton said. “| I would like to think of myself as a very good defender and I am capable of defending any position on the court. I can play the point if I have to and I can play the wing and down low.”
Burton played his grassroots basketball this summer with IBTB and got an opportunity to play inside for an undersized squad.
“We didn’t have many bigs so I had to play all over the court and that is a huge reason why I am so versatile this high school season,” Burton said. “I worked on getting to the basket more and finishing strong. I wanted to become more athletic and get a lot stronger. I worked on my mid range jumpsuit a lot and made sure that was more consistent this year.”
Raytown has high expectations as the squad returns the core from a squad that won 20 games last season. The team not only features Burton, but 2018 interior players Mason Fair and Devin Drew and has a nice mixture of inside and outside players.
“Our expectations this year are high as ever,” Burton said “It is state or bust. People overlook us a lot, and I think that we are very underrated.”
Burton said the team is looking forward to facing Kickapoo and Xavier signee Jared Ridder.
“I am looking forward to playing against Kickapoo and Jared Ridder,” he said. “They say he is the best player in the state and I want to be the best. They always say to be the best you have to beat the best.”
Burton said his biggest influences have been his dad and brother, and that he enjoyed watching Kobe Bryant play before he retired last season.
“My father, and brother (have been the biggest influence) because they have been with me through everything and they always want me to be the best player I can be,” Burton said. “I loved watching Kobe Bryant play. I try to have the same mentality he had when he played. I try to mimic his pull up jump shot and fadeaway as well.”
Burton said he currently does not hold any offers, but has heard from several schools, including Arkansas, Drury and Northern Iowa.