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NBA Summer League: Meet the OKC Thunder roster ahead of game one in Vegas

By Rylan Stiles

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 31: PJ Dozier #35 of the Oklahoma City Blue listens during a timeout against the Iowa Wolves in Oklahoma City, OK on January 31, 2018. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 31: PJ Dozier #35 of the Oklahoma City Blue listens during a timeout against the Iowa Wolves in Oklahoma City, OK on January 31, 2018. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 10: Iowa State Cyclones guard Deonte Burton (30) during the Big 12 Tournament semi-final game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Iowa State Cyclones on March 10, 2017 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Iowa State defeated TCU 84-63 (Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

#30 Deonte Burton, Guard

Burton arrives having played for the Wonju DB Promy of the Korean Basketball League. Formerly Burton played his College ball at both Marquette and the Iowa State Cyclones,

Something notable about Burton is he spoke out about depression via a Sports Illustrated article. This was a hot topic in the NBA this season as DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Love and Kelly Oubre all came forward to make mental health a talking point.

Adversity:

From his instagram message:

"I’m not ashamed of letting people into my world. I have suffered from depression in the past. It started to get the worst when my mother passed away. At that time I was afraid of getting help. I was also always afraid to let people know I was suffering. I thought I could handle it, but in retrospect I was lashing out daily.  wish I would have found a person to talk to and my outlet earlier. Don’t be afraid to admit you are depressed. After you have admitted it, try to find help. Depression is a real thing in the world. I’m speaking publicly hoping that it will help others find help. I didn’t let depression win, and I pray that you can also win this internal battle!"

Burton dealt with his mother’s death and initially was afraid to ask for help with his depression. He overcame that fear and was able to move forward and find a path to success.

More and more players are stepping forward to open the discussion and it’s wonderful because it sheds a light on how anyone can be affected.

Burton went undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft, and decided to play overseas for a year. Now, he hopes to impress the Thunder, or any other team looking at him during this summer session.

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