Why Drake was the right college basketball team for Campus HS star Andrell Burton Jr.
When picking his college destination, Wichita native Andrell Burton Jr. was looking for a program that saw the same potential he sees in himself.
On Burton’s official visit to Drake last weekend, his vision was shared by Drake head coach Darian DeVries.
Four days after leaving Des Moines, the Campus senior announced his intention to return on Wednesday morning by verbally committing to Drake. The unanimous three-star high school prospect, ranked No. 221 nationally in the class of 2024, can sign his letter of intent to Drake during the early signing period, which begins on Nov. 8.
“I’m really excited about the system they have and what they see me becoming,” Burton told The Eagle. “I can see myself developing into a really good player there.
“They see me playing more of a guard role and on the wing, so like (shooting guard) or (small forward) and sometimes even the (point guard).”
Burton was a second-team all-state player in Class 6A last season at Campus and figures to be one of the top players in the state for his senior year.
New Campus head coach Zac Kliewer, who has been an assistant since 2010, believes Burton has the skill set to become the best player in Kansas.
“Drake is getting a straight unit,” Kliewer said. “He’s going to play shooting guard for us because he can shoot the ball so well from the outside. He’s a slasher, he’s lanky, he’s a great defender and plays above the rim. I think when (Drake) looked at him as an all-around player, they liked every aspect of his game. They think he’s going to be a great basketball player for them.
“Andrell just wants to win and contribute however he can and I think Drake appealed to him because they have that winning culture and they believe that he has a really high ceiling.”
DeVries has turned Drake into one of the best mid-major programs in the country, compiling a 122-48 record since taking over in the 2018-19 season with trips to the NCAA Tournament two of the last three seasons. He recently signed an eight-year contract extension slated to keep him with the Bulldogs in the Missouri Valley Conference through the 2028-29 season.
During his official visit, Burton said DeVries saw parallels between the height and shooting ability of Burton and his own son, Tucker, who is Drake’s star player and a potential NBA draft pick.
Burton, who was listed last season at 6-foot-5, believes he has grown two inches this summer and now stands 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan — the same height as Tucker DeVries, who made 84 three-pointers last season on 36% accuracy.
“We talked about how (coach DeVries) liked my length and how me and his son are similar shooting aspect-wise,” Burton said. “We talked about everything I could be doing when I get there and how I can develop my body to get bigger and stronger and how I can earn playing time, if I wanted it. That conversation sparked a fire under me.”
Burton was also considering Indiana State, South Dakota State, Wyoming, Saint Louis, Kansas City and SIU-Edwardsville before ultimately choosing Drake.
After announcing his decision Wednesday morning during school, Burton said he appreciated all of the support he received — both in person and from social media.
“Today has been awesome,” Burton said. “All of the teachers I’ve seen and everybody has been showing me love and telling me it doesn’t matter where I go, they’re going to support me wherever. It’s really cool.”
This story was originally published September 20, 2023 at 5:13 PM with the headline "Why Drake was the right college basketball team for Campus HS star Andrell Burton Jr.."
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