Boys' basketball player of the year: Brayden Burries of Eastvale Roosevelt
There’s no doubt who was the best high school basketball player in California this season.
From start to finish, Brayden Burries of Eastvale Roosevelt rose to almost every occasion, helping his team win Southern Section and state championships at the highest level.
Whether scoring, rebounding or setting up teammates with timely assists, Burries delivered repeatedly during a 35-2 season. His physicality left opponents with few choices on how to proceed.
Forever thankful & grateful for everything 🙏🏽✝️ . #AGTG#blessedpic.twitter.com/T0BhJsnAiB
— Brayden Burries (@BraydenBurries) March 17, 2025
“He just gets to the free-throw line and puts so much pressure on the defense and is such a physical presence and knows how to impact the game,” Harvard-Westlake coach David Rebibo said.
For a season of excellence against top opponents and delivering in big game after big game, Burries is The Times’ boys' basketball player of the year.
At 6 feet 5, his size and aggressiveness played into his ability to take control of games just when Roosevelt needed him most. He was too strong for guards and two agile for forwards and centers.
His final game for Roosevelt at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento in the Open Division state final against San Francisco Archbishop Riordan produced a performance for the ages — he scored 44 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
One of the best 16 minutes of high school basketball I’ve ever seen by an individual. 27 points by Brayden Burries. 10 of 13 shots. 44-33 Roosevelt over Riordan. pic.twitter.com/vi3htlEF4Q
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) March 16, 2025
His coach, Stephen Singleton, said it wouldn’t be the last time Burries played at Sacramento’s NBA arena and insisted no other Roosevelt player would wear No. 5 on their jersey because his number would be retired.
“Best player in Roosevelt history,” he said.
Burries averaged 30 points per game and had so much fun playing with his friends that he said after his performance against Riordan, “I wish there was another game.”
Stephen Singleton coached Tyson Chandler and now Brayden Burries. pic.twitter.com/46PEJubCcl
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) March 2, 2025
Burries will play in the McDonald’s All-American Game on April 1 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. He remains uncommitted on his college choice.
Singleton, who coached former NBA center Tyson Chandler at Compton Dominguez, has no doubt that Burries is on a similar path to basketball success with his drive to excel.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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Brayden Burries delivers historic performance to lead Roosevelt to state championship
Brayden Burries scored a record 44 points to help Eastvale Roosevelt win the Open Division state championship over San Francisco Riordan.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
Boys' basketball coach of the year: Stephen Singleton of Eastvale Roosevelt
Stephen Singleton of Eastvale Roosevelt High guided his team to Open Division titles.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Super 25 rankings update: Roosevelt leaps into top 2 with California state championship
Roosevelt, winner of California's Open Division state championship, moved into the top 2 of the Super 25 national boys basketball rankings.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Girls' basketball player of the year: Kaleena Smith of Ontario Christian
Sophomore Kaleena Smith led Ontario Christian High to the Southern Section Open Division championship during a 30-2 season in 2024-25.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Michigan high school boys basketball: Top players in Division 1-4 state championship games
The Michigan boys basketball championship games took place on Saturday. Here were the standout players in all four divisions.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
Girls' basketball coach of the year: Aundre Cummings of Ontario Christian
First-year coach Aundre Cummings of Ontario Christian High guided his team to the Southern Section Open Division championship.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Fowler boys basketball reaches state title game with win over Allen Park Inter-City Baptist
Fowler advances to face Wyoming Tri-unity Christian in the Michigan high school boys basketball Division 3 championship game Saturday.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
De Pere, Notre Dame, Bonduel advance to boys basketball sectional championship games
De Pere holds off Sheboygan North, Notre Dame wins on buzzer-beater and Bonduel rolls past Southern Door in boys basketball sectional semifinals.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
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Micah Young's 24 points and eight rebounds led Westerville North to a 78-46 win over Massillon Perry in the OHSAA Division II state final Friday.Yahoo Sports - 3d
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