Written by: TJ Inman
Landing a dynamic point guard has been a point of emphasis for Darian DeVries and his coaching staff for the past several months. The top target to fill that role was Notre Dame transfer and former Penn High School star Markus Burton and on Monday evening, the Hoosiers got their man.
Burton was Indiana’s 2023 Mr. Basketball after finishing 20th all-time in scoring in the state and totaling 2,273 points. He averaged 30.3 points per game and led Penn to a semi-state finish before beginning his career at Notre Dame. Burton led all ACC freshmen as he averaged 17.5 points per game and then was the nation’s 5th-highest scorer in 2024-2025 as he racked up 21.3 points per game, including a remarkable 23.5 points per game in ACC play. The 5’11” guard started his junior season on fire, averaging 19.9 points per game as he led the Irish to a 7-3 record before he broke his ankle against the TCU Horned Frogs on December 5. Burton missed the rest of the season and is expected to get a medical redshirt and have two seasons of eligibility remaining as he heads to Bloomington.
Despite being only 5’11”, Burton is a tough and physical presence who led Notre Dame with a Box Score Plus/Minus (BPM) of 7.4 before his injury. That followed a BPM of 4.8 as a sophomore and 3.4 as a freshman. Standout games include 24 points and a +12 BPM against Kansas, 21 points and a +14.2 BPM against Rutgers, 19 points, 5 assists and 6 rebounds against Houston, 18 points and 10 assists against Missouri and 20+ points in 15 of the final 20 games of his sophomore season as he shredded the ACC competition.
Burton is a solid defender, but his true strength comes as an offensive weapon that is constantly in attack mode. He is a good three-point shooter (39.7% on three-point attempts at the top of the key or on the wing in his last full season) and a very efficient scorer inside of the paint. Burton could stand to improve his finishing at the rim, but he’s an elite foul shooter and brings dynamism with the ball and supreme quickness to Indiana’s backcourt.
Statistical Profile
- Box Score Plus/Minus: 7.4
- Points Per Game: 18.5 (10 games in 2025/2026), 21.3 (full season of 2024/2025)
- Rebounds Per Game: 2.8
- Assists Per Game: 3.7
Statement of Intent
Markus Burton took a visit to Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars as soon as official visits were allowed. Darian DeVries and his staff were aggressive and made sure they did whatever they possibly could to land their top target at point guard. Markus Burton is, without delving into hyperbole, Indiana’s most exciting and dynamic player at the point guard position since Yogi Ferrell. He will be a focal point for IU’s offense and, if he can stay healthy, projects as a potential All-Big Ten player for the next two seasons. He joins Darren Harris and Jaeden Mustaf as Indiana’s portal commitments.