A fun look back: 1986 Top 50 High School Recruits (#30. Willie Burton)

[BleedGopher]

I remember seeing annual recruiting lists like this, often in Streets & Smith's or Athlon's Magazine. Sid was our only source for recruiting info in between these annual updates.

Some big names on this list, with Willie's college and pro career, he absolutely surpassed his 30th ranking nationally.


Go Gophers!!

 

[Block M]

Times certainly have changed.

 

[dlnavra]

It was great following these lists as they were updated, always enjoyed seeing where the kids were from, etc. The better Sunday newspaper editions of sports sections across country also published these lists. Same for college football, and at least for football, there are still some papers that publish them as signing day approaches (eg. Dallas Morning News still does it for football).

 

[WindyCityGopher]

Not an NBA superstar in the bunch. I guess Derrick Coleman was as close as it comes.

 

[bamor5229]

Not an NBA superstar in the bunch. I guess Derrick Coleman was as close as it comes.

Don't forget about Felton Spencer!

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Part of me longs for those days.

Amazing we got Willie out of MI.

 

[Lincoln gopher]

Part of me longs for those days.

Amazing we got Willie out of MI.

Seems like the Gophers in the 80's and 90's occasionally got a stud from Michigan. Burton, Tucker, Lenard were all from Michigan, probably others that I can't think of. Not sure who was the connection was.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Seems like the Gophers in the 80's and 90's occasionally got a stud from Michigan. Burton, Tucker, Lenard were all from Michigan, probably others that I can't think of. Not sure who was the connection was.

Such a great HS BB area and similar weather - shame that dried up.

 

[GopherJack]

Such a great HS BB area and similar weather - shame that dried up.

I'm not a recruiting guru, but did that area dry up due to the auto industry collapse in Michigan?

 

[balds]

Don't forget about Felton Spencer!

One of my classmates worked at Northwest Athletic Club and had access to members phone numbers. One day I called Felton from our High School's trainers room. It was like that Chris Farley skit. "Um....................I just wanted to let you know................that .......I think you're really good". Felton: "ahhhh, Ok...................thanks?" Ok, Bye. Much simpler time. I sometimes miss it, especially when I see national rankings of 4th graders, etc.

I'd be curious to see the accuracy of the rankings compared to today's 24/7 cycle. I know some players might've gone early, but it seems to me they did a pretty solid job on this list.

1990 NBA Draft | Basketball-Reference.com

Checkout the summary for NBA 1990 Draft with Round by Round selections and more on Basketball-Reference.com

www.basketball-reference.com

 

[sal]

Not an NBA superstar in the bunch. I guess Derrick Coleman was as close as it comes.

Nick Anderson was very good at basketball. He had “ the game face”. All business.

 

[WindyCityGopher]

Nick Anderson was very good at basketball. He had “ the game face”. All business.

He was an excellent college player and had a really solid NBA career for sure, but definitely not a superstar.