SOUTH BEND – Notre Dame point guard Markus Burton has proved naysayers wrong. He went from winning Mr. Indiana Basketball to stepping on his home court in Purcell Pavilion and making an immediate impact with the Irish. He won the 2024 ACC Freshman of the Year Award (the first ND player to do so) and also took home Third Team All-ACC honors.
Before this season got underway, the ACC named him a Preseason First Team selection; and now we get to today’s honor – the Naismith Starting 5 – Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Top 20 Preseason Watch List. This prestigious award honors the best point guards in men’s college basketball and is presented by the Basketball Hall of Fame, highlighting the elite talent in the sport.
Burton is the first Irish point guard to be named to the Bob Cousy Top-20 Preseason Watch List since Matt Farrell (2017-18 Watch List) and Demetrius Jackson (2016 Finalist).
work speaks for itself @markussburton has been named to the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award Preseason Watch List #GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/G02sh5X1di
— Notre Dame Men's Basketball (@NDmbb) October 28, 2024
All Burton did last year was break the all-time scoring record at Notre Dame with 577 points. In ACC-play only, Burton ranked sixth in scoring (17.5 ppg), first in steals (2.2) and third in assists (4.8).
Irish fans are hoping Burton can pick up right where he left off. The Mishawaka native averaged the second most points in the ACC from Feb. 24 on, averaging 22.1 ppg in that span. His 17.5 ppg in ACC play is the third highest returning scoring average amongst all league players.
In addition, ESPN.com announced today its top-100 players ahead of the 2024-25 season. Burton checked in at No. 40 as they anticipate the sophomore emerging as one of the ACC’s top guards.
As the season progresses, the list will remain fluid, giving players the opportunity to move on and off the list until the Final 5 are selected. We are excited to follow your player’s journey and support your team throughout the season. The list will narrow down to 10 players in early February, with the Final 5 being announced in March. The award winner and presentation details will be revealed at the Final Four in San Antonio.
Fan voting presented by Dell Technologies will open once the announcement is made, allowing fans to vote for their favorite players.
| Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award | |
| NAME | SCHOOL |
| Mark Sears | Alabama |
| Jeremy Roach | Baylor |
| Tyrese Proctor | Duke |
| Walter Clayton, Jr. | Florida |
| Malik Mack | Georgetown |
| Ryan Nembhard | Gonzaga |
| Myles Rice | Indiana |
| Tamin Lipsey | Iowa State |
| Dajuan Harris | Kansas |
| Josh Hubbard | Mississippi State |
| Elliot Cadeau | North Carolina |
| Markus Burton | Notre Dame |
| Bruce Thornton | Ohio State |
| Ace Baldwin, Jr. | Penn State |
| Braden Smith | Purdue |
| Dylan Harper | Rutgers |
| Zakai Zeigler | Tennessee |
| Jordan Pope | Texas |
| Wade Taylor IV | Texas A&M |
| Elijah Hawkins | Texas Tech |
| Naismith Starting 5 Awards Schedule | |
| October 28, 2024 | Men’s & Women’s Top 20 Announced & Fan Voting Begins |
| February 3, 2025 | Men’s & Women’s Top 10 Announced & Fan Voting Begins |
| March 3, 2025 | Men’s & Women’s Top 5 Announced & Fan Voting Begins |
| March 24, 2025 | Men’s Committee Calls |
| March 25, 2025 | |
| March 26, 2025 | |
| April 4, 2025 | Final Four / Winners Announced |
– ND –