Mitch Norton

Mitchell Robert Norton (born 1 April 1993) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL). He has previously played for the Townsville Crocodiles, Illawarra Hawks and Southland Sharks, and for the Townsville Heat in the Queensland Basketball League.

Mitch Norton
Norton in March 2019
No. 8 – Perth Wildcats
PositionPoint guard
LeagueNBL
Personal information
Born (1993-04-01) 1 April 1993
Townsville, Queensland
NationalityAustralian
Listed height186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Listed weight91 kg (201 lb)
Career information
High schoolPimlico State
(Townsville, Queensland)
Playing career2011–present
Career history
2011–2016Townsville Crocodiles
2016–2017Southland Sharks
2016–2018Illawarra Hawks
2018–presentPerth Wildcats
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Australia
Commonwealth Games
2018 Gold Coast Team competition
FIBA Asia Cup
2017 Lebanon

Early life

Born and raised in Townsville, Queensland, Norton attended Pimlico State High School and the Australian Institute of Sport as a youth, while also representing Queensland North at Under 16 and Under 18 Australian Basketball Championships between 2007 and 2009. In 2010, he represented Australia at the FIBA Under-17 World Championship.[1] He also represented Queensland in 2010 and 2011 at the Australian Under 20 Championships.[2]

Professional career

In 2011, Norton joined the Townsville Crocodiles for the 2011–12 NBL season. However, due to a foot injury, he managed just five games while averaging 2.2 points per game.[3]

In 2012, Norton joined the Crocodiles' full roster and subsequently averaged 4.1 points in 28 games during the 2012–13 NBL season. He improved dramatically in 2013–14 as he averaged 6.9 points and 2.6 assists in 27 games while leading the league in free throw percentage with 88.5%. He was awarded the Mark Bragg Medal at the end of season gala night for in honour of the Players’ Player Award. He also garnered the Mike Kelly Medal for the Best Defensive Player on the Crocodiles' 2013–14 team.[4][5]

In 2014–15, Norton again earned the Mark Bragg Medal after averaging 7.9 points and 2.9 assists in 28 games.[4][5]

On 7 April 2016, Norton signed with the Southland Sharks for the rest of the 2016 New Zealand NBL season as an injury replacement for his former Crocodiles teammate, Jordair Jett.[6] However, his stint with the Sharks lasted just two games, as he was brought into the All-Australian team for their China tour.[7][8] He later re-joined the squad in mid May.[9]

With the demise of the Townsville Crocodiles following the 2015–16 season, Norton immediately became a free agent and was heavily sought after by a number of rival NBL clubs. Despite receiving a number of higher financial offers, it was the prospect of playing under head coach Rob Beveridge that lured him to the Illawarra Hawks, signing a two-year deal with the club on 21 April 2016.[10][11]

On 13 October 2016, Norton suffered a hamstring injury in the Hawks' second game of the 2016–17 season.[12] On 14 February 2017, he re-signed with the Southland Sharks for the 2017 New Zealand NBL season.[13]

In September 2017, Norton was named vice-captain of the Illawarra Hawks ahead of the 2017–18 season.[14] On 7 December 2017, he was ruled out for six weeks after undergoing surgery on a fractured thumb.[15]

On 23 April 2018, Norton signed a three-year deal with the Perth Wildcats.[16] On 28 January 2019, he was ruled out for the rest of the 2018–19 regular season with a tear to his left calf muscle.[17]

National team career

In July 2012, Norton was named in the 2012 Australian Stanković Cup squad.[18] The Boomers went on to finish in second place.[19]

In June 2013, Norton was named in the Australian squad for the 2013 Stanković Cup[20] and World University Games.[21] Australia went on to win gold and silver respectively.[22]

Personal

Norton is the son of Paul and Anita Norton, and has a brother named Max.[23]

References
  1. "U17 OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS NAMED". Basketball.net.au. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  2. "Player profile: Mitchell Norton". SportingPulse.com. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  3. Mitch Norton to play in Adidas EUROCAMP
  4. Player statistics for Mitch Norton
  5. "AWARD WINNERS". Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  6. Mitch Norton to replace crocked Jordair Jett for Southland Sharks
  7. Southland Sharks after yet another NBL import with Australian Mitch Norton the latest to go
  8. Southland Sharks grab revenge against Canterbury Rams in NBL
  9. Southland Sharks cut import Demetrius Miller for remainder of season
  10. HAWKS SNAP UP CROCS CAPTAIN MITCH NORTON
  11. Ex Croc Mitch Norton finds new NBL home with Illawarra Hawks
  12. BACKCOURT STARS SHOOT KINGS TO FIRST WIN
  13. Southland Sharks re-sign Australian duo for 2017 National Basketball League season
  14. Kevin White named Illawarra Hawks captain for new NBL campaign
  15. Norton faces long stint on the sidelines
  16. Wildcats sign Aussie point guard Mitch Norton
  17. Mitch Norton Injury Update
  18. "STANKOVIC CUP TEAM NAMED". Basketball.net.au. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  19. "AUSTRALIANS FINISH SECOND IN STANKOVIC CUP". Basketball.net.au. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  20. "EMERGING BOOMERS TALENT READY FOR STANKOVIC CUP". Basketball.net.au. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  21. "AUSTRALIAN TEAMS NAMED FOR 2013 WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES". Basketball.net.au. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  22. Nagy, Boti (5 August 2013). "Boomers squad – without Jason Cadee and Chris Goulding – 'best in years'". HeraldSun.com.au. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  23. Take 40: Mitch Norton
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