Burries, Globe High School student and San Carlos resident, achieving historic success on the basketball court

B.J. Burries is on track to prove that talent, hard work and the right attitude pays off. Burries, a senior at Globe High School and San Carlos Apache tribal member, is on the verge of breaking the state record for most points scored in a career. 

On Tuesday, Jan. 8, Burries passed Arizona basketball legend Mike Bibby, moving into second place on the all-time scoring list of Arizona players by surpassing the 3,000-point mark. 

He joined the elite club in front of a packed gymnasium as Globe played San Carlos at San Carlos. 

“It feels amazing to be one of only three people out of high school history to be in the 3,000 club and I’m blessed to be one of them,” Burries said in the days after the big game.

Burries is not only number two in Arizona for points scored in a high school career and a member of the 3,000-point club but he is also nationally ranked. 

According to MaxPreps, Burries is also number four in the nation for average points scored in a game. Burries is averaging 36.6 points a game. Burries is also ranked number five in the nation for 3-point field goals made. 

Through it all, Burries has maintained his equilibrium and has not let the success go to his head.

“I would give all my success to God,” he said. “If it wasn’t for him, then none of this would be possible.”

Burries did not become a record-breaking basketball player on talent alone. As a dedicated student-athlete, he spends countless hours practicing and reviewing tape. He focuses on the positive and keeps his attention on the future. 

Among his greatest challenges, though, has been struggling with jealousy and hate off the court. 

One of Burries’ first memories of basketball was when he was probably only eight or nine years old. Burries says that “the other team’s parents got mad because I was making all the baskets and so they made me sit out.” 

He said he doesn’t “really pay attention to all that. I just have a positive mind and pray for everyone to have a great life.” 

Burries also knows that there is ample potential for a bright future but understands that it is a process. 

“I have to work for it [my future],” he said. “I can’t just wish for it. Everything is slowly coming together so I’m just trusting the process.” 

Basketball is a team sport and Burries knows his success on the court is due, in part, to his teammates and coach. Burries explains that having a team that supports him and appreciates his leadership is “great and less stress”. 

GHS basketball coach Coach James Simmons has also been “great” according to Burries. Simmons runs an offense referred to as “The System” which is based on Paul Westhead’s offense åat Loyola Marymount. The System is predicated on trying to create high-scoring games. 

Burries is a well-rounded person and is more than a great athlete: he is a humble, hard-working and respectful young man who has successfully been able to balance success on the court with academics and other responsibilities. 

he offered the following advice to kids: “Don’t drink or smoke. Stay in school. Anything is possible if you put God first and stay out of trouble. Listen to your family. I know they can be a pain, but they are speaking the truth. Keep your circle small. There is a lot of hate and jealousy out in the world … don’t let it get to you.”