MALAYSIA BURTON

MUSKOGEE HIGH SCHOOL

Junior Malaysia Burton leads the way for the Muskogee Roughers as they continue to be a young team looking for success in the 2023-24 season.

“Malaysia is the leader of this group,” says basketball coach Bryan Bunch. “She’s a three-year starter who leads not only vocally but by example. She’s very athletic and has a high basketball IQ to go with it, which helps put us in the best position to be successful. She’s one of our team captains and shows others how to do things right as she asks them to follow her. She’s a great encourager and is one that if she makes a mistake, she’s accountable and quick to own up to it.”

In addition to basketball, Malaysia is part of the Roughers 4X100 relay team that took gold last spring in the Class 6A state track meet.

“I started playing basketball in Wagoner in pre-K. My sister Dezaray played ahead of me and was a role model along with A’ja Wilson (two-time WBNA MVP). I just like the way A’ja plays so aggressively.”

Malaysia credits coach Bunch for being a motivator for her when he took over the girl’s program last year.

“He really encourages me and keeps me going. He likes the team to play fast and really stresses strong defense.”

Though she’s just a junior as a captain, Malaysia is taking on more of a leadership role this year and she equates good leadership with strong character.

‘I think being a good leader is showing a good example on and off the court and that goes together with good character which is about being accountable and is a personal truth.”

Though she still has a couple of years still to play, Malaysia has already chalked up one highlight in her young career.

“Last year when we played Bartlesville, I had four 3-pointers and scored 18 points which is a career high,” said Burton.”

With three starters back, the Roughers, though still young, feel they’ve got a little more experience going for them this year as they continue trying to get the program back on a winning track with the motto Believe It’s Coming.