SALT LAKE CITY \u2013 The Utah Jazz finished the season 22-60 and own a 45.1 percent chance of landing a top-four pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n
If the Jazz slide into the middle of the lottery, Arizona guard Brayden Burries is a name they\u2019re likely to consider.<\/p>\n
Below is a full breakdown of his game, strengths, weaknesses, and potential fit in Utah.<\/p>\n
Brayden Burries: NBA Draft Snapshot<\/p>\n
School: Arizona
Position: SG \/ PG
Age: 20 (on draft night)<\/p>\n
2025\u201326 stats<\/p>\n
16.1 points
\n4.9 rebounds
\n2.4 assists<\/p>\n
Shooting splits<\/p>\n
49.1% FG
\n39.1% 3PT
\n80.5% FT<\/p>\n
Strengths<\/p>\n
Basketball IQ
\nOffensive efficiency
\nTwo-way player<\/p>\n
Weaknesses<\/p>\n
Role player upside
\nJack of all trades, master of none
\nAge for class<\/p>\n
Offensive Profile: A Three-Level Scorer<\/p>\n
A top-10 recruit out of high school, Burries got off to a slow start as a freshman but finished the season as one of the best players in college basketball.<\/p>\n
The 6-foot-4 guard is comfortable playing either backcourt spot and regularly ran the offense for an Arizona team that lost just three games all season.<\/p>\n
Burries is at his best as a scorer. He shot 49 percent from the floor and 39 percent from 3-point range, elite efficiency across all three levels.<\/p>\n
Brayden Burries was impressive in Arizona\u2019s Sweet 16 win over Arkansas.<\/p>\n
Burries finished with 23 points on 7-11 shooting in the blowout win. pic.twitter.com\/HySOwxcP8g<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 B\/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The California native blends efficient perimeter shooting with strong rim finishes and midrange pull-ups, while still creating opportunities for teammates.<\/p>\n When defenders went under screens, he punished them with a quick-release three. Burries is also dangerous shooting on the move, giving Arizona coaches the flexibility to design out-of-bounds sets that freed him for open looks in tight windows.<\/p>\n He may have been most effective in transition, where he could grab a defensive rebound and push coast to coast for a layup through traffic.<\/p>\n Though not an elite athlete, Burries closes space quickly in the open floor, keeping defenders off balance and finishing at the rim with either hand.<\/p>\n While not a traditional \u201cfoul merchant,\u201d he plays through contact and consistently draws fouls as a result.<\/p>\n Playmaking and Feel for the Game<\/p>\n Burries\u2019 2.4 assists do not jump off the stat sheet, but he is a willing ball mover capable of handling occasional point guard duties in the NBA.<\/p>\n He projects as a secondary creator who can attack defenses rather than dominate the ball.<\/p>\n Brayden Burries with the DIME as Koa Peat slams it home \ud83d\ude2e\u200d\ud83d\udca8#Big12MBB<\/a> | \ud83d\udcfa TNT pic.twitter.com\/oNOXppBSjG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) January 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Perhaps his best skill is his feel for the game. His effort rarely wanes, and he makes very few mental mistakes.<\/p>\n There are stretches where he scores on four straight possessions, then willingly plays off the ball for several minutes if that\u2019s what helps the team.<\/p>\n With increased spacing at the NBA level, Burries\u2019 ability to get to the rim could become even more effective.<\/p>\n Defense: Two-Way Value<\/p>\n Defensively, Burries ranks among the better perimeter players in this draft class and projects as a true two-way contributor.<\/p>\n He is not a traditional lockdown defender, but he competes on every possession and has excellent hands, generating deflections especially in traffic.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Brayden Burries with a game-winning block to keep Arizona undefeated!<\/p>\n (via @SportsCenter<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/5trYfCvhyj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Goosebump Sports (@GoosebumpSports) January 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Burries does not gamble, which keeps his steal and block numbers modest, but he has a habit of making big plays in critical moments.<\/p>\n Areas for Improvement<\/p>\n Among players projected to go in the top eight, Burries may have the least obvious star upside.<\/p>\n He profiles more as an elite role player than a franchise centerpiece, which could slot him behind other guards in this range.<\/p>\n While he is a solid ballhandler and passer, he is not elite in either area.<\/p>\n Arizona freshman Brayden Burries in his Big 12 debut:<\/p>\n 21 PTS | 7-13 FG | 3-7 3PT | 2 STL pic.twitter.com\/dvwhYYUtAz<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 B\/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Most of his offense comes within the system or in transition, especially early in his career, and he may never develop into a high-level isolation scorer.<\/p>\n At times, he can dribble into trouble, and without great positional size, he can be overwhelmed by multiple defenders.<\/p>\n Burries is also old for a freshman and will turn 21 before the start of his rookie season, making him older than many sophomores in this class.<\/p>\n How Would Brayden Burries Fit With the Jazz?<\/p>\n With Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey, and Keyonte George already on the roster, the Jazz may not need to gamble on a volatile, high-upside prospect.<\/p>\n Burries\u2019 two-way potential makes him a relatively safe option, and he remains far from a finished product.<\/p>\n He has the size to share a backcourt with George, and the two could complement one another as floor spacers in Will Hardy\u2019s offensive system.<\/p>\n Brayden Burries took over last night \u203c\ufe0f Highlights vs. Colorado \ud83c\udfa5#Big12MBB<\/a> | @ArizonaMBB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tgYqDO9zsi<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) March 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Burries would likely be miscast as a savior for a team like the Sacramento Kings or Memphis Grizzlies that needs a primary offensive engine. But on a roster with established stars, he fits cleanly.<\/p>\n Perhaps the strongest compliment for Burries: much of the league would be devastated if he landed with the Oklahoma City Thunder via their late lottery pick from the Los Angeles Clippers.<\/p>\n Are you on Instagram? Let\u2019s connect, give us a follow @kslsports<\/a>.<\/p>\n Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah\u2019s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.<\/a><\/p>\n Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on\u00a0<\/a>97.5 The KSL Sports Zone<\/a>. Find Ben on Twitter at\u00a0<\/a>@BensHoops,<\/a>\u00a0on Instagram\u00a0<\/a>@BensHoops,<\/a>\u00a0or on\u00a0BlueSky<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nWhen they took away his jumper, he relied on handle and pace to get downhill.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcca 31 PTS | 7 REB | 5 STL<\/p>\n