Deonte Burton listed as breakout player for the 2016-17 season

Feb 2, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Deonte Burton (30) dunks against the West Virginia Mountaineers at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State forward Deonte Burton showed flashes of great potential last year as a reserve during his junior season in Ames.

That potential will get an even better showcase in 2016-17 as Burton takes on a bigger role in the ISU front court. The graduations of Georges Niang, Jameel McKay and Abdel Nader has left a huge hole down-low for Iowa State, which could mean Burton is poised for a big jump in production this season.

People around the country are starting to take notice.

TodaysUSports’ Jon Rothstein, formerly of CBS Sports, has listed Burton as one of his 20 breakout players for the 2016-17 season.

“Burton (9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds) was a valuable reserve last season on a team that reached the Sweet 16 and now he’s in position to have a spike in his numbers moving forward,” Rothstein wrote. “With both Georges Niang and Jameel McKay no longer on Iowa State’s roster, Burton will be the primary baseline scoring threat after averaging just 18.8 minutes a year ago.”

It is likely that Burton will step into a starting role in 2016-17. He started seven games for the Cyclones and scored in double-figures 14 times last year.

The 6-foot-4-inch, 240-pound senior from Milwaukee was named the 2016 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and was conference Newcomer of the Week four times. The former Marquette-transfer entered his name for the 2016 NBA Draft without hiring an agent.

Iowa State men’s basketball media day is on Wednesday, Oct. 12.