New Zealand Basketball Legend Willie Burton to Have Jersey Number Retired by Hawke's Bay Hawks

Willie Burton, a former American basketball player, will have his jersey number retired by the Hawke's Bay Hawks basketball club. Burton played 19 seasons in the New Zealand NBL, including the Hawks' only title in 2006. He is an eight-time All-Star Five selection, six-time rebounds champion, and assists champion in 1999. His jersey number 14 will be retired on Friday, becoming only the second Hawk to be honored in such a way.

The Hawke's Bay Hawks basketball club will retire the jersey number 14 in honor of Willie Burton, a former American basketball player who spent 19 seasons in the New Zealand NBL. Burton's career, which spanned from 1985 to 2004, will be celebrated on Friday, June 17, 2025, at the Big Barrel Hawks match against the Southland Sharks [NUMBER 1].

Burton, who initially came to New Zealand as an American import to play for the Palmerston North Jets, eventually married a Kiwi girl and gained New Zealand residency. He played 352 matches in the NZNBL, including the Hawks' only title in 2006. His impressive career includes eight All-Star Five selections, six rebounds championships, and an assists championship in 1999. Burton's number 14 will be retired, making him only the second Hawk to receive such an honor, following Paora Winitana's number 8 retirement in 2017 [NUMBER 1].

This ceremony recognizes Burton's significant contributions to the Hawks and the NZNBL, solidifying his legacy in New Zealand basketball.

References:
[1] https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/willie-burton-the-american-import-who-became-a-kiwi-hawk/MJLV4HREBVHP3DVM7AFXO7246M/