As the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, guard Brayden Burries joins the Milwaukee Bucks after a productive freshman campaign at Arizona.
Burries was a first-team All-Big 12 selection last season, averaging 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals in 39 games. He was also named to the Big 12 All-Freshman team after helping the Wildcats to the Final Four for the first time since 2001.
The soon-to-be 21-year-old registered 14 20-point performances, including a season-high 31 points and seven rebounds in a win over Colorado on March 7. He ranked sixth in the Big 12 in total points (626), sixth in steals (59) and 10th in minutes played (1,162).
Burries was the Bucks' first lottery selection since 2016, when they selected Thon Maker
with the 10th pick. He became the 81st player in program history to be drafted in the NBA and the sixth in five years under head coach Tommy Lloyd.
The 6-foot-4 Burries debuted with the Bucks in summer league, averaging 23.5 points, four rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals in five games. He was named to the NBA All-Summer League first team after registering three 20-point performances.
Burries enters next season as a foundational piece for the Bucks after the departure of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The team was ecstatic to draft him and is eager to watch his upcoming rookie campaign.
Throughout September, Rookie Wire is compiling some of the most interesting facts about each first-round pick in an effort to further introduce the incoming draft class ahead of the 2026-27 season
Previous: AJ Dybantsa | Darryn Peterson | Cameron Boozer | Caleb Wilson | Keaton Wagler | Mikel Brown Jr. | Darius Acuff Jr. | Kingston Flemings | Morez Johnson Jr.
Basketball Family
Burries is the son of Bobby Burries, who played college basketball at Cal State San Bernardino and is a member of its Athletics Hall of Fame. His mother, Hannah Low-Burries, played two seasons of softball at Tennessee and one year of basketball at Cal State San Bernardino. His parents rarely miss his basketball games and are often seen wearing custom-made shirts with his face and name on them.
Hawaii
Burries revealed in an interview with SLAM that he frequents Hawaii each November with his family. The tradition has been going on for over a decade, though it seems reasonable to believe he'll have to reschedule his trip now that he is in the NBA.
"(My mom has) family out there in Hawaii, so the past 11 years, we've been going to Hawaii every year in November," Burries said. "I just go out there and chill on the beach with my family. It'll be like 50 of us out there."
High School
Burries was the 2024-25 Gatorade California Boys Basketball Player of the Year at Eleanor Roosevelt High School and one of three finalists for the Gatorade National Player of the Year. He registered five 40-point games as a senior, leading his team to the CIF Southern Section title and the SoCal Regional championship.
Juggling
Burries has said that one of his off-the-court talents is juggling. He believes that ability has helped him on the court, sharpening his ball-handling, reaction and other related skill sets.
"I made it to a minute, but I've never tried it again," Burries told SLAM. "I just got to raise the bar higher now. This helps you with basketball, for me at least, with hand-eye coordination and just getting ready for the game."
Derrick Rose
Like several of his peers, Burries was a fan of Derrick Rose growing up and often watched the former MVP with the Chicago Bulls. Unsurprisingly, Rose's No. 1 Bulls jersey was the first Burries ever had as a youngster.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 5 fun facts: Get to know Bucks' Brayden Burries before rookie season
