Markus Burton Chooses to Stay with Notre Dame Basketball

Former Penn High School star and ACC Rookie of the Year Markus Burton has decided to return to Notre Dame for his sophomore year, stepping back from the NBA Draft.

According to CBS Sports College Basketball Insider Jon Rothstein, Burton confirmed that he will be withdrawing from the draft to rejoin the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the 2024-25 season. Last month, Burton had entered the NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility, giving him until May 29 to finalize his decision.

Burton’s decision to return comes after he was not invited to the NBA Draft Combine or the NBA G League Elite Camp earlier in May. Despite these setbacks, his performance last season was impressive. He averaged 17.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game, setting a new Notre Dame freshman scoring record with a total of 577 points.

As he rejoins the team, Burton is expected to be one of the standout guards in the ACC next season. His return is anticipated to significantly boost Notre Dame’s performance in the upcoming games.

Burton’s journey highlights the strategic decisions young athletes must make regarding their professional careers, balancing opportunities and personal growth within college sports.