"Heat Check Mentality: Tough, Skilled, and Wired to Compete"

Broden Burgess

@broden65922

IG: @broburg3

6’0, 165lbs, Class of 2028

Jackson Lumen Christi HS, MI

Broden is a tough, skilled, and high-IQ guard with a motor that doesn’t let up and a mentality built for the big stage. The 6’0” floor general combines physicality with finesse, a downhill attacker with a vicious step-through euro, strong finishing touch, and the vision to thread dimes under pressure. He plays with maturity beyond his years and leads like a veteran. Whether it’s knocking down threes (35%), creating plays in tight spaces, or locking up the opposing team’s top scorer, Broden makes winning plays in every phase of the game. He’s a smooth operator off the ball, sneaking into scoring windows, and a vocal presence who takes pride in being coachable and holding his teammates accountable. He already played major varsity minutes as a freshman in Michigan, and that alone says plenty. But when you watch him command a gym and elevate everyone around him, you realize this kid is different.

He averaged 7 points, 3 assists, 2 boards, and 1 steal during the school season and helped lead his squad to a regional championship, playing the bulk of playoff minutes as a freshman. On the AAU circuit, he's now averaging 11 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds while playing up an age group with The Academy out of Saline, MI. During a recent NY2LA weekend, he helped lead his squad to a perfect 4-0 record, showing just how impactful he can be on both ends of the floor. Ranked #58 in the state for the 2028 class, Broden continues to climb while putting in the kind of work that separates the good from the great. His goals aren’t just individual; he wants to put his team on the national map and win his school's first state title ever. That level of purpose fuels everything he does.

Broden’s offseason focus is locked in on tightening his pull-up midrange, improving his ball screen reads, and becoming a nightmare to guard in space. He’s working on getting his shot off quicker, finishing just as strong with his left as his right, and learning to fight through screens defensively. Those extra details matter to him because consistency and discipline are the foundation of how he plays. His defense is tenacious, he relishes guarding the other team’s best player, and he’s vocal, engaged, and disruptive on that end of the floor. Every game, every rep, he’s tuned in.

When facing adversity like a tough loss, a cold shooting night, or a mental mistake, “I focus on what I can control, my attitude, my effort, and my response,” Broden said. “I try not to let emotions take over. I lean on my coaches and teammates.” That emotional maturity makes him a leader in the locker room and a steadying presence on the court. He sees adversity not as a setback, but as fuel.

His mindset comes straight from the guidance of great coaches who’ve instilled in him a powerful truth that talent means nothing without consistency and work ethic. Broden lives by that. Every practice, every game, every weekend on the road, he shows up ready. “Working hard and hustling is a skill. If it wasn’t, everyone would do it.”

With a strong AAU summer rolling and big stages like NY2LA’s Final Chapter in Aurora, IL, up next, playing up against 16U competition, Broden is proving that his game belongs in every conversation. His ability to control pace, make smart reads, knock down shots, and elevate others makes him a must-watch guard in his class. And he’s far from done.

Off the court, Broden enjoys golfing and fishing, spending time with family and friends, and staying grounded in the things that bring him peace. But between the lines, he’s wired differently. Fierce, focused, and built to lead.

I assess that Broden is a complete guard who brings toughness, court awareness, and versatility. He makes high-level decisions with the ball, guards with pride, and adds scoring punch from all three levels. His feel for the game and leadership make him the kind of player who sets a tone early and lifts a program’s standard.

With continued growth in his midrange game and physical development, Broden is poised to keep rising as one of the top guards in the 2028 class in Michigan. His control, playmaking, and mindset already stand out, and as he elevates those tools, expect him to become one of the most reliable and dangerous backcourt pieces. Keep watching, cause he’s just getting started. Stay tuned for this rising star to have a breakout season.