NBA Comparison: Derrick White / Jrue Holiday

Strengths: Emerged as Arizona’s go-to scorer and emotional leader as a freshman, producing at a high level while helping drive one of the program’s best seasons in recent memory, with just two regular season losses by a combined total of seven points … Strong, well-built guard with good positional size and an NBA-ready frame … Advanced offensive skill set for his age, combining scoring instincts with shot-making versatility … Efficient perimeter shooter (39.1% from three on 4.6 attempts), with a clean, repeatable stroke and the ability to hit both off the catch and off the dribble … Confident, competitive scorer who embraces big moments and has a track record of winning dating back to high school … Plays with a strong mentality and toughness, never shying away from pressure situations … Runs pick and roll very well, showing poise, timing, and the ability to make reads off the dribble … Solid foundation as a facilitator with natural passing instincts, particularly in drive-and-kick situations and as a lob passer … Utilizes a runner in the paint well, showing touch and control in the mid-lane area … Handles the ball well in traffic, maintaining control in tight spaces and navigating congestion effectively … Shows a deliberate and quick first step that allows him to gain separation off the dribble … Excels in transition where his blend of strength, coordination, and athleticism allows him to finish above the rim or through contact … Capable of highlight finishes and shows explosion attacking downhill … Does a very good job rebounding the ball for a guard (4.9 rpg), especially off the dribble … Shows a lot of upside as a spot-up shooter, with the ability to space the floor and knock down open looks consistently … Disruptive defensive presence with solid anticipation (1.5 spg), frequently jumping passing lanes and creating turnovers … Physical defender who competes on that end and uses strength well at the point of attack … Shows the ability to impact the game on both ends with his energy, instincts, and feel … High-level competitor with clear leadership traits and long-term upside as a two-way guard …

Weaknesses: Assist numbers (2.4 apg) are modest for a lead guard, leading to questions about his full-time point guard projection and ability to consistently organize an offense at the next level … Came into college viewed by some as more of a shooting guard, which still shows at times in his natural scoring mentality and developing playmaking instincts … Can be overly focused on scoring at times, occasionally missing reads or predetermining decisions … Doesn’t always make reads quickly enough or deliver the ball on time, though he showed very good improvement in this area from high school through the course of the season … Efficiency and overall offensive impact dipped against elite competition, most notably during the Final Four, which will be a point of emphasis for evaluators … Handle is solid but not elite, and stronger defenders can force him into tougher looks in half-court settings … Not an elite burst athlete, which may limit separation against high-level NBA defenders … Can get caught up on screens at times defensively, impacting his ability to stay connected to ball handlers … At times can fall behind plays defensively and end up chasing his assignment rather than anticipating actions, showing a need for improved awareness, anticipation, and composure … While his game has no glaring weaknesses, he also lacks a truly elite standout skill, profiling more as a steady “jack of all trades, master of none” type … Can be prone to stretches of inconsistency as a shooter despite strong overall percentages … Still developing as a pure facilitator in pick-and-roll situations …

Outlook: Burries projects as a lottery-level talent with the tools to develop into a high-level two-way lead guard … His combination of size, strength, shot-making, and defensive instincts gives him a strong foundation to contribute early while continuing to expand his playmaking role … If he proves capable of handling primary initiation duties more consistently and improves his efficiency against top-tier competition, he has the upside to become a Derrick White–type impact guard who contributes across the board on a winning team …

Notes: Brayden Burries measured 6′ 3.75” barefoot, 215.4 lbs, 6′ 6.00” wingspan, 8′ 2.50” standing reach, 35.0 no step vertical, and 38.5 max vertical at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. … 2025–26 Stats: 39 GP, 29.8 MPG, 16.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 49.1 FG%, 39.1 3PT%, 80.5 FT% … Honorable Mention All-American … First Team All-Big 12 … Big 12 All-Freshman Team … Jerry West Award finalist … Two-time AP National Player of the Week … Posted multiple high-level performances, including 31 points at Colorado and 23 points in a Sweet 16 win over Arkansas … Recorded a rare 20-12-5-0 stat line vs. Kansas … Five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American out of Eleanor Roosevelt HS … Averaged 29 points per game as a senior and led his team to a state championship, scoring 44 points in the title game … Comes from a strong athletic background with both parents playing college sports …

Aran Smith 4/6/26

Strengths: 6’4 combo guard … Good size for position … Strong build with broad shoulders and plays well with contact. Plays with good aggression and puts pressure on the rim without forcing. Uses his body and protects the ball well when driving. Draws fouls at a good rate. Shot 5.1 free throws per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Averaged 17.8 points per game on 53.2% FG% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Good midrange pull-up … Good shooting form and a perimeter scoring threat. While he can be more consistent from 3PT range, his 48.4% 3PT% on 3.9 3PT attempts per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 shows plenty of capability … Sees the floor, makes good reads, and passes well. Good pick and roll ball-handler, throws accurate pocket passes and alley-oops. Averaged 4.3 assists to 1.9 turnovers per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024. Can play on or off the ball … Very good rebounder on both ends for position. Averaged 5.9 (1.6 offensive) rebounds per game at the NBPA top 100 in 2024 … Impacts the game in multiple areas …

Weaknesses: Has room to tone his body. Plays scrappy on-ball defense and fights through screens but quicker guards may give him trouble at the next levels. Played on the bottom of a zone defense at times for Roosevelt … A bit reliant on ball screens to drive … Solid athlete and capable of getting up around the rim but isn’t top tier explosive. Doesn’t have a great first step with the ball. Isn’t great finishing in traffic, scoring at the rim at the next levels projects to diminish … Free throw shooting has been up and down but could be more consistent. Shot 65.9% FT% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 … Older for his class, turned 19 in September of his senior year and will be 20 a month before he plays a college game …

Outlook: Arizona freshman … 2025 McDonald’s All-American … Recorded 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the 2025 Jordan Brand Classic … 2025 Naismith All-American 2^nd Team … 2025 California Gatorade Player of the Year …

Evan Tomes 8/15/25