Brayden Burries’ High School Coach: ‘He Fits Great’ with Mark Pope’s System at Kentucky

Brayden Burries is getting ready to visit Kentucky in the fall. The 2025 four-star guard wowed at Peach Jam over the weekend with his dynamic play.

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound combo guard from Eleanor Roosevelt (Riverside, CA) added an offer from Kentucky on Monday after an impressive performance in front of the Kentucky staff at Peach Jam. He was the first player Kentucky assistants Cody Fueger and Jason Hart watched to kick off the live period on Friday evening.

KSR+ talked to Eleanor Roosevelt head coach Steve Singleton about Brayden Burries’ game. He also talked about Burries’ recent offer from Kentucky and the program’s relationship with Mark Pope and the new Kentucky staff.

“He fits in great with Coach [Mark] Pope’s system,” Singleton said. “Coach Pope loves to push the ball, loves to run, and loves to shoot a lot of threes. That’s what he did at BYU and before that at Utah Valley. Brayden loves to push the ball, loves to run, play at a fast pace, and loves to shoot and score. He fits in great with that system, what they’re doing, and what they’re bringing to Lexington.”

A History with Kentucky Basketball

Steve Singleton has a history with the Kentucky basketball program. He coached former Kentucky Wildcat Jemarl Baker , who played at UK from 2017 to 2019.

“I know the history of Kentucky and what they’ve done,” Singleton said. “To get an offer from Kentucky is huge. With Coach [Mark] Pope and Coach Jason Hart being a part of that staff now, it’s just exciting for him. I was excited for Brayden that he got that offer and that he’s continuing to show people he’s one of the best players in the nation.”

Singleton is already seeing the excitement from Big Blue Nation about Mark Pope. Pope is bringing a fun style of play from BYU.

“You’re bringing back a coach who played there and has a lot of pride in that university. Coach Pope has paid his dues at other places and has been very successful in what he’s done,” Singleton said. “The style of play is going to be very exciting for people in Lexington and around the country who are Kentucky fans to watch how they play.”

‘He’s Highly Competitive and Wants to Win’

Steve Singleton is heading into his third year coaching Brayden Burries at the high school level. He’s gotten a feel for what Burries is as a player, but that continues to expand.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” he said. “He’s a high competitor, highly competitive, and wants to win. He does everything he can to help his teams be successful. [Brayden] is a great rebounder for a guard. He finishes the ball really well around the basket. He’s got great body control and has a great feel for the game. [Brayden] makes the game look easy with the way that he plays, but he works extremely hard at his craft.”

With one season of high school basketball remaining, Singleton wants to see Burries become more of a vocal leader. He’s already leading by example, but now it’s time to take that even further.

“I think he needs to be more of a vocal leader and continue to talk to his teammates,” Singleton said. “Then, locking in on that defensive end. He’s already a really good defender, but I think he can be a lockdown guy on that end also. He spends a lot of energy on that offensive end because he’s so dynamic. I think he could lock in on that defensive end a little bit more.”

Brayden Burries Puts ‘His Fingerprints on the Game’

Four-star guard Brayden Burries of Riverside (CA) Eleanor Roosevelt is the nation’s No. 15 overall prospect, according to the On3 Industry Ranking , a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3 ranks Burries as the No. 20 player overall, the top-ranked combo guard, and the No. 2 best player in California.

“He’s really put his fingerprints on the game and controls the pace of the game,” Singleton said. “[Brayden] does such a great job of scoring it, but he also rebounds so well for a guard. Really, he goes out each and every single day to show that he’s one of the top players in the nation.”

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