Modern Position: Elite Wing Shooter – Low Rotation Level
Size: 6’7, 215
Class: Junior
’21-’22 Richmond Highlights: https://youtu.be/KzcDXZp56Sw
Statistical Insights: (17 Games Played)
Roles: Shooter, Rebounder, Finisher.
Key Skill Videos:
– 3pt Shooting:
– Assists + Turnovers:
– Defensive Fundamentals:
Attributes:
– Creates spacing at an above average level.
– Shooting volume is average, but very efficient with his touches.
– Average mobility for his size.
– Solid size for a wing at 6’7.
– Not an elite leaper by any means, but can finish above the rim powerfully off two feet.
– High offensive impact despite being mostly an off-ball player.
Skillset:
(+) Efficient 3pt shooter on average volume.
– Picks his spots well, executes.
– Off-catch mechanics look solid for the most part, has great moments off movement as well.
– 42.2% from deep on 5.2 attempts per game.
– Shoots a pretty ball with a high arc.
– Capable enough P&P threat.
(+) Efficient around the rim. Good cutter.
– Finishing ~70% around the rim.
– Picks his spots well.
– Has shown he can cut with purpose, leveraging his gravity well.
(+) Good defensive rebounder.
– Committed to the glass on defense, crashes with purpose.
(-) Heavily reliant on others creating offense for him.
– Lacks skillset needed to create advantages at an NBA level.
– Does his best work off the ball, finishing plays rather than creating them.
– Some flashes of tough shot making.
(-) Average off-ball activity.
– Could be far more active hunting his spots on the perimeter.
– Relies on set actions more than off-ball creation to find open looks, would like to see more constant movement.
– Standing upright too often, not always making himself a threat.
– Good shooter off movement, strong upside here.
(-) Limited ball-handling ability to breakdown individual defenders.
– Does not generate space or create advantages well.
– Loose handle, can dribble into trouble too often.
– Not a player I would want handling the ball outside of capitalizing on a bad closeout or breakdown.
– Needs to clean up footwork in the post and in his off-catch attacks, travels too often and could sell his shot better.
(-) Limited defensive ability and versatility.
– Slower first step defensively, limited in POA against guards. Just doesn’t give you much value, gives some up.
– Gets beat off the dribble rather often, poor closeout technique.
– Not strong or long enough to defend well up a position.
– Lacks the explosiveness to generate events often.
(-) Below average playmaker (with upside).
– Does not often create for others often, mostly as a result of lacking advantage creation skills (handle, athleticism).
– However, there have been some impressive flashes off a live dribble on power plays that are very intriguing development points of emphasis that could help foster a larger global impact offensively. He hits guys in their shooting pocket with ease.
– Negative A:TO ratio for his career.
– Lowly 5.7% AST% to 8.9% TOV%.
Bottom Line:
Burton can really shoot it well for his size and has some of the tools that the modern game covets in wing shooters. However, he needs to improve his off-ball creation, 3pt volume (especially, considering lacking ancillary offensive tools), and all-around defensive game if he wishes to stick in the NBA and differentiate himself from the others striving to fill that role. The defensive end is going to be a notable area to improve on, as it could make or break his potential NBA career.
He has upside as a passer when he can use his shooting gravity to break down a defense, as he may grow from those flashes of capitalizing on those breakdowns as he develops further. That will be a key skill for him to focus on in order to not become one-dimensional offensively, as shooters that can use their gravity to generate breakdowns and capitalize on that for others (rather than only finishing others’ breakdowns) are far more valuable.
Projection:
– Worth looking at in the late second round, and definitely worth looking at for a Two-Way Deal.
– High-end outcome of a low rotation EWS role.