Ballarat Rush secure local Kasey Burton

Basketball Ballarat have announced Kasey Burton will join the Ballarat Rush for the 2021 NBL1 South Season.

Burton returns to Ballarat after stints with the Melbourne Boomers and Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL and was looking forward to getting back on the courts in Ballarat.

“I’m just excited to be back playing basketball again. It’s great to have a season to look forward to given the events of the pandemic cancelling all sports last year,” Burton said.

“It will be fun to try out the new home court at the Ballarat Sports Events Centre, it’s definitely got a lot of room to cater for our amazing Ballarat support base. Hopefully we can get a few fans there.”

As a local to Ballarat, Burton understands the importance of the local community and was excited to be part of Basketball Ballarat’s programs in 2021.

“I have always enjoyed being involved in the local Basketball Ballarat community and have maintained my connections through coaching at my local club Exies. I have already began assisting with the Aussie Hoops program and I look forward to being involved with our junior representative teams,” Burton explained.

Burton is the eighth player announced for the Rush joining many local players on the roster this year.

“The team is coming together nicely, we have a lot of local players which will hopefully inspire our Ballarat junior girls to play at the NBL1 level,” Burton said.

“I am looking forward to building my game with the senior Ballarat coaches Eric Hayes, Brendan Joyce and Megan Collins as well as off court with Chris Radford at the RAD centre.” 

Coach Hayes was looking forward to having Burton back in Ballarat.

“So good to have another talented local come back to the program after some years away. Over the past few years Kasey has been working on her game with the Melbourne Tigers in NBL1 and in the Women’s National Basketball League as a development player with the Melbourne Boomers and Bendigo Braves,” Hayes said.

Hayes highlighted what Burton will bring to the team this upcoming season.

“Kasey has always been a skilled and tough competitor on the court when we have played against her in recent years so it is great to have her with us for the 2021 season. Kasey is a very versatile player that can play multiple positions for this season which will really be valuable for our team.

“We really are excited to welcome Kasey back to the program and we look forward to her sharing her experience with our team and being great role model to our junior players looking to go to the next level.” 

Burton joins Alicia Froling, Claire Blower, Claire Constable, Kristy Rinaldi, Annie Collins, Millie Cracknell and Taylah Wynne as players announced on the Rush roster ahead of the 2021 NBL1 South Season.