Akron Zips basketball lands Max Burton through NCAA transfer portal

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Akron Zips basketball lands Max Burton through NCAA transfer portal

Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Wed, Apr 15, 2026 ·

2 min read

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On the same day the University of Akron formally introduced new men's basketball coach Dustin Ford during a news conference at House Three Thirty, the Zips landed a big man from another Mid-American Conference school through the NCAA transfer portal .

Former Western Michigan forward Max Burton announced on April 15 via social media he has committed to Akron .

Burton, who will be a redshirt senior next season, has joined former University of Incarnate Word, Cleveland State University and Canisius University guard Tahj Staveskie in committing to the Zips through the portal.

Zips news: Akron basketball NCAA transfer portal news and updates

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Akron vs. Texas Tech men's basketball, NCAA tournament photos

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) drives against Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) moves across the court against Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rob Whaley Jr. (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) dribbles against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) shoots against Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips head coach John Groce calls timeout in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) rebounds against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Josiah Moseley (5) shoots against Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4), forward Amani Lyles (0) and Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) chase a loose ball in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) passes in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) and Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) chase a loose ball in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) shoots against Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) shoots against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) and guard Christian Anderson (4) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) shoots against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Luke Bamgboye (9) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips cheerleaders in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) shoots against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Zach Halligan (21) looks to pass against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) defends Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) shoots against Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Jaylen Petty (11) drives against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) drives against Akron Zips guard Zach Halligan (21) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) blocks Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Luke Bamgboye (9) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Luke Bamgboye (9) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) drives in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Jaylen Petty (11) drives against Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Jaylen Petty (11) shoots against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Grant McCasland in the first half against the Akron Zips during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Grant McCasland yells in the first half against the Akron Zips during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Tyeree Bryan (1) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) dribbles against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) shoots against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Josiah Moseley (5) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) shoots against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Tyeree Bryan (1) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) reacts after a basket against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) drives against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) defends Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) drives against Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) and forward Lejuan Watts (3) defend Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Jaylen Petty (11) shoots against Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

University of Akron's Tavari Johnson is pressured by Western Michigan's Max Burton on Feb. 11, 2025, in Akron. — University of Akron’s Tavari Johnson is pressured by Western Michigan’s Max Burton on Feb. 11, 2025, in Akron.

Max Burton stats

Burton spent the past four seasons at Western Michigan . He started 60 of 92 games and averaged 4.9 points on 50.3% shooting from the field, 3.9 rebounds and 18.1 minutes.

Burton has been a full-time starter for the past two seasons. He logged 60 starts in 62 games combined as a sophomore and junior.

This past season, Burton started all 30 games. He averaged 5.9 points on 47.9% shooting from the floor, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 24.8 minutes.

Max Burton height, weight

Western Michigan lists Burton as a 6 feet, 10 inches and 240 pounds.

Zips news: Akron introduces new men's basketball coach Dustin Ford at news conference

Max Burton's background

Burton played basketball at Williamston High School in Williamston, Michigan. As a senior, he helped Williamston earn a record of 27-0 and an MHSAA Division 2 state championship.

Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com . On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Max Burton commits to Akron basketball through NCAA transfer portal

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