Arizona freshman Brayden Burries has quickly established himself as a standout player for the top-ranked Arizona basketball team, currently averaging 11.3 points per game. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound guard was once a highly sought-after recruit for Alabama basketball, with coach Nate Oats recognizing his potential to take his talents to the professional level.
Burries caught the attention of Alabama’s coaching staff about eight months ago, expressing excitement about the Crimson Tide’s fast-paced style of play. He had initially indicated that he was eyeing a potential spot on the roster following Mark Sears’ departure. “Mark Sears is leaving, so they see me taking his spot,” he stated in an interview, showcasing his aspirations to contribute right away.
However, determining his collegiate path became more complicated when Burries officially committed to Arizona in April, just after fellow recruit Labaron Philon Jr. declared for the NBA Draft. Before his commitment, Burries was considered one of the last opportunities for Alabama to secure a five-star recruit for their 2025 recruiting class, and Oats was eager to include him among an impressive lineup that already consisted of four four-star prospects.
Despite the success of Alabama’s current recruiting efforts, Oats was aware of the challenges in convincing Burries to move away from the West Coast. “We gave it our best shot,” he said ahead of a matchup against Arizona, acknowledging the difficulties in persuading Burries to leave his home region.
At Arizona, Burries quickly secured a starting position and has solidified his role with contributions that include 2.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. His coach, Tommy Lloyd, has witnessed his growth firsthand. When asked about Burries’ performance, Oats hesitated but recognized the impact of Lloyd’s system on Burries’ development.
Oats has kept a keen eye on Burries and expressed concern over his capabilities as a player. “When I watch him play, he’s playing hard. He seems like a great teammate. He’s tough. We’re worried about him because he’s a super talented player, and he’s a kid that can go off for 30 at any point,” Oats stated, though Burries has yet to reach that scoring mark this season.
His highest scoring effort thus far has been 20 points against Denver, and in a recent game against Auburn, he recorded 16 points and five rebounds. Oats is wary of Burries’ potential to break out in a significant way during their upcoming game at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. “Our guards are fully aware that he’s one of the most talented kids out there. I think eventually, at some point, he’s going to be a pro and they’ve got multiple guys that are going to play at the next level on the team,” Oats added.
The highly anticipated matchup between Alabama, currently 7-2, and the undefeated Arizona team is set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN, with streaming available through Fubo, Sling, and ESPN+.
