Note #047: Brayden Burries (Backcourt Anchor)
Arizona guard Brayden Burries (along with fellow freshman teammate Koa Peat) declared for the 2026 NBA Draft after one year in Tucson, going 10th overall to Milwaukee.
In 2025-26 for the Wildcats, Burries boiled with the following per game stats (across 39 GP, 29.8 MP/G):
- 16.1 PPG
- 4.9 RPG
- 2.4 APG
- 1.5 SPG
Since 1947-48, there have been 55 instances of an NCAA Division I men's player (including Burries) averaging at least 16 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2 APG, 1.5 SPG in 30 MP/G or less. Three were by freshmen - Burries, and:
1. Tyreke Evans (2008-09) - 17.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.9 APG, 2.1 SPG (37 GP, 29.0 MP/G)
2. Zion Williamson (2018-19) - 22.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 2.1 SPG (33 GP, 30.0 MP/G)
Evans was the 4th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Williamson went No. 1 overall in 2019.
Of the 55 occurrences referenced above, seven (besides Burries and Evans seasons) were sustained over 35+ GP:
16-17 PPG
1. Christian Laettner (1989-90) - 16.3 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.6 SPG (38 GP, 29.9 MP/G)
2. Paul Pierce (1996-97) - 16.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.7 SPG (36 GP, 28.1 MP/G)
3. DeMarre Carroll (2008-09) - 16.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.6 SPG (38 GP, 28.0 MP/G)
4. Rick Fox (1990-91) - 16.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.7 APG, 2.0 SPG (35 GP, 28.5 MP/G)
17-20 PPG
5. Todd Day (1989-90) - 19.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.3 SPG (35 GP, 28.8 MP/G)
20+ PPG
6. Courtney Lee (2007-08) - 20.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.8 SPG (36 GP, 30.0 MP/G)
7. Todd Day (1990-91) - 20.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.9 APG, 2.2 SPG (38 GP, 29.5 MP/G)
Yes, Day did it twice (his sophomore and junior seasons at Arkansas).
Day played in 22 GP (32.2 MP/G) as a senior in 1991-92, and was selected 8th overall in the 1992 NBA Draft.
Watch for Williamson in:
Note #016 (Eric Reibe) / Note #026 (Nolan Minessale) / Note #043 (Darryn Peterson)
Laettner is listed in Note #019 on Allen Graves and Note #038 on Cameron Carr, both 2026 Draft prospects.
Day delivers in Note #045 on another potential 2026 pro: Otega Oweh.
If we remove the 30 MP/G ceiling, there have been seven other freshmen besides Burries and Evans to meet the above per game benchmarks (min. 35 GP):
16-17 PPG
1. Tony Wroten (2011-12) - 16.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.9 SPG (35 GP, 30.3 MP/G)
2. Josh Jackson (2016-17) - 16.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.7 SPG (35 GP, 30.8 MP/G)
3. Joseph Forte (1999-00) - 16.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.5 SPG (36 GP, 33.2 MP/G)
17-20 PPG
4. QJ Peterson (2013-14) - 19.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.7 SPG (35 GP, 32.9 MP/G)
5. D'Angelo Russell (2014-15) - 19.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.6 SPG (35 GP, 33.9 MP/G)
20+ PPG
6. Kenny Anderson (1989-90) - 20.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 8.1 APG (!), 2.3 SPG (35 GP, 37.7 MP/G)
7. Carmelo Anthony (2002-03) - 22.2 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.6 SPG (35 GP, 36.4 MP/G)
Initial Jackson sighting was in Note #036 on Burries' aforementioned teammate, Koa Peat.
Russell references: Note #003 (Keaton Wagler) / Note #039 (Kingston Flemings).
Anthony arrived in Note #043 on likely top four 2026 Draft pick Darryn Peterson.
For fun, let's drop the GP criteria to 34. Enters:
16-20 PPG
1. Dejounte Murray (2015-16) - 16.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.8 SPG (34 GP, 33.5 MP/G)
2. James Harden (2007-08) - 17.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 2.1 SPG (34 GP, 34.1 MP/G)
3. Kevair Kennedy (2025-26) - 18.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.9 SPG (34 GP, 36.8 MP/G)
20+ PPG
4. Mark Macon (1987-88) - 20.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.8 SPG (34 GP, 35.4 MP/G)
5. Stephen Curry (2006-07) - 21.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.8 SPG (34 GP, 30.9 MP/G)
The only other freshman in 2025-26 besides Burries and Kennedy to average 16+ PPG, 4.5+ RPG, 2+ APG, 1.5+ SPG is:
Caleb Wilson - 19.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.5 SPG (24 GP, 31.3 MP/G)
Harden solidifies himself in:
Note #012 (Eian Elmer) / Note #020 (Jalen Haralson) / Note #026 (Nolan Minessale)
Kennedy was also in the Haralson Note, plus Note #041 on probable first round NBA Draft selection Meleek Thomas.