Note #047: Brayden Burries (Backcourt Anchor)
Arizona guard Brayden Burries (along with fellow freshman teammate Koa Peat) has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft.
In 2025-26, 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.