Father and son, new Big Barrel Hawks assistant coach Willie Burton (centre) and Alonzo Burton (right), when the Hawks retired Wilie Burton's No 14 last year, recognising his career of 352 games for the Hawks. Photo / Hawks
Father and son, new Big Barrel Hawks assistant coach Willie Burton (centre) and Alonzo Burton (right), when the Hawks retired Wilie Burton's No 14 last year, recognising his career of 352 games for the Hawks. Photo / Hawks
The family name of a Hawke’s Bay Hawks great will be bellowed from the bleachers again this year with the return of Alonzo Burton to hometown basketball in the NBL.
The 32-year-old, back from five seasons with the Southland Sharks, is the son of Willie Burton, a 1980s American importwho arrived initially to play in Palmerston North but who made a home in Napier.
Willie Burton’s 352 games for the Hawks included the team’s only title win, in 2006, and honoured last year with the retirement of singlet number 14, he is also back in the nest, as assistant coach.
Already a nationally rated player, through his years at St John’s College at Hastings, Alonzo Burton first played for the Hawks in 2012 and has played the last five seasons with the Sharks.
The re-signing was announced by Big Barrel Hawks general manager Jarrod Kenny today and he is the first player publicly confirmed for new coach Will Lopez.
Kenny, who played for the Hawks alongside both father and son, said the 1.93m wing brings versatility, leadership and proven perimeter shooting, highlighted by a 42% three-point shooting season in 2024.
“I’ve had the privilege of sharing the court with Alonzo and competing against him over the years, so I know exactly what he brings,” Kenny said. “He’s tough, he competes, and he can really shoot the basketball.”
Alonzo Burton playing in Taradale as a Hawk 10 years ago. Photo / NZME
“More than that, he’s a Hawke’s Bay kid who understands what this jersey means,” he said. “Seeing him grow from a young player here into a proven NBL performer and now bringing him home – that’s something we’re really proud of as a club.”
Lopez made it clear Burton’s signing is about winning, saying: “Alonzo helps us win – it’s that simple. He’s a proven NBL scorer who can stretch the floor at a high percentage, and that changes how teams defend us.”
Burton said: “Coming back to Hawke’s Bay means everything. This is where I grew up, where I went to school, and where I first fell in love with the game. To be able to represent this region again is something I’m really proud of.”
The signing comes as the Hawks prepare to open their 2026 season at home against Tauranga side the Whai at Rodney Green Arenas, Taradale, on April 11.
