UNB Saint John Athletics
Home of the Seawolves

Doyle Burton has officially signed with the UNB Saint John Seawolves men’s basketball team for the 2023-24 varsity season.

Burton hails from Stillwater Lake, Nova Scotia, and is a graduate of Bay View High School, where he played alongside fellow Seawolves basketball recruit Lance Howlett.

Throughout his high school career, Doyle has racked up many accolades, including being selected for the U18 Fury high-performance team, winning the 2023 U18 Scotia AAA tournament, and being selected to the U17 Top 40 camp. Additionally, he won two U16 provincial basketball championships and was a recipient of the Coach Maj award for being committed to practice while providing high energy, a great work ethic, and a positive attitude for the Bay View Sharks football team.

Seawolves head coach Paul Vaughan noticed Burton when he was watching Bay View’s games, initially to scout another player. “What caught my eye immediately was how their big man was everywhere on defense and how easily he moved around the court,” said Vaughan about Burton. “Doyle’s size and athleticism are the first things you notice. His ability to guard post players, rebound in traffic plus be able to switch onto smaller perimeter guys is rare. During his recruiting trip to UNB Saint John, Doyle’s offensive skills were equally impressive, with his ability to handle the ball in transition and to shoot over defenders from the perimeter.”

For Doyle, basketball is more than just a game. “I love the game, and I thrive on the competition,” he said. “Basketball gives me an opportunity to compete, build friendships, have fun, and be part of a team while developing my self-confidence and athleticism. Basketball is also an outlet when life gets me down and it makes my life more enjoyable”

During his recruitment visit, Burton was sold by the facilities, the atmosphere, and the people. “During my visit to UNBSJ, I experienced nothing but positivity. Coach Paul Vaughan was extremely friendly and showed a ton of knowledge on the game of basketball. The facilities were very impressive as well. Coach Jack was also extremely friendly and I really enjoyed the drills he was running.”

On top of that, Doyle was a fan of the academic environment. “I also like the small classroom sizes and smaller campus as it feels like a comfortable environment to pursue my academic goals.” Those goals will begin with Doyle pursuing his Bachelor of Arts to “gain broad experience in the liberal arts”, after which he plans to attend the Vancouver Film School and study VFX to become a digital effects artist for movies.

Burton is excited about the prospect of helping the Seawolves turn their fortunes around, but has humble and realistic goals for his own progress. “My goals as an athlete are to improve my game, earn my spot, and help my team win,” said the recruit. “I recognize that as a freshman I have a lot to learn. I hope to continue to learn and sharpen my talents on the court in order to reach my full potential as a player. I hope to earn my play time through practice and show that I can help put wins on the standings for the Seawolves.”

Coach Vaughan sees Burton making an immediate impact on the defensive end, with his size and skill giving him the potential to become a real offensive threat. “As he adjusts to the speed and physicality of the university game, I see Doyle becoming that prototypical ACAA power forward that can dominate games on both ends. I also see Doyle having a positive impact in other ways. His outgoing and creative personality will have a positive impact within the team.”

When asked about his biggest role model, Burton named Miami Heat player Jimmy Butler. He was inspired by Butler’s journey from being kicked out of his home as a young teen, working hard to be selected 30^th by the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Draft, and eventually becoming an NBA star. “His mentality and ability to work for what he wants and not care what people think is very admirable.”

Welcome to the Seawolves Family, Doyle!