The 22-0 Wildcats are off to their best start in program history, largely in part due to the play of their superstar freshmen. And after a career week, one of Arizona’s freshman is garnering recognition as one of the top players at his position midway through the season. On Tuesday, Brayden Burries was named to the Jerry West Award Midseason List.
The Jerry West Award recognizes the top shooting guard in college basketball annually. Burries is one of five Big 12 players to make the midseason list, alongside Baylor’s Cameron Carr, BYU’s Richie Saunders, Houston’s Emanuel Sharp, and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson. Burries was also one of 20 players on the preseason watch list for the Jerry West Award.
On the season, Burries is averaging 15.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, while shooting 50.2% from the field. He has scored in double figures in 16 games this season, including seven of Arizona’s nine conference games. His best performance came just over a week ago, when he scored a career-high 29 points, connecting on 13-of-14 free throws, in the 86-83 road win at No. 13 BYU.
Burries’ inclusion on the Jerry West Award midseason watch list comes a day after earning Big 12 Player and Newcomer of the Week honors for the first time in his career. The U.S. Basketball Writers Association also named Burries one of its five Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week.
Arizona point guard Jaden Bradley played his way onto the Cousy Award Midseason Watch List on Monday. Fellow freshman Koa Peat was a preseason selection for the Malone Award, which midseason list will come out later this week.
The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats return to action at home against Oklahoma State on Saturday, February 7, at 2:00 PM MST on ESPN.