Russell’s Ryder Burgess and Jagger Prickett may only be sophomores, but they already have a leadership role on the team.
“Jagger and Ryder have been a really important part of our pieces,” Russell coach Derek Cooksey said. “It’s pretty unique because you’ve got two younger kids who are still sophomores in the backcourt with one another. It’s been nice to see their progression together.”
One aspect that helps the duo thrive in their roles and bond is that both players’ dads excelled at the Division I level.
“You don’t get too many times where you get two individuals in your program that have fathers that played at the next level like that,” Cooksey said. “It can only just add to the support group they have, and it kind of just helps them know what to expect and what time and effort they have to put into it.”
Burgess’s father, Joda, played at Marshall University from 1997 to 2001. Joda Burgress finished his career second all-time in 3-point field goals made (210) and attempts (541). He was named to the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman team in 1998.
Prickett’s dad, Jared, suited up for Kentucky from 1992-97 and was a member of the 1996 national championship team.
For both players, having a dad with that experience has helped them succeed at the varsity level.
“He has prepared me in the gym since I was little, and he has a lot of knowledge about the game,” Burgess said. “He knows what I’m capable of doing to impact the game and help my team win.”
“He can see the game at a different level and knows what I need to improve on,” Prickett added. “He helps me get there while building confidence in my game.”
Cooksey noted that the parents have struck a balance between being a resource and letting the boys find their own way.
“Both of those parents have the approach where they’re not living through their kids; they’re basically letting them kind of set their own path,” Cooksey said. “They are there kind of as a resource for support, and I think it’s unique. They have that luxury, but at the same time they’re trying to make a name for themselves.”
As young leaders, both players know it’s a big responsibility, but they see it as their duty to take on the role entirely.
“Even though I’m just a sophomore, I have to take on a leadership role if I want to play my position,” Jagger Prickett said. “As the point guard, I have to set up our offense, and when teams change defenses, I have to let our team know what we have to be in.”
“Being a leader as a sophomore is a lot of responsibility, but I feel like I’ve prepared myself a lot to lead,” Ryder Burgess said. “I get my teammates motivated before the game, and that’s what is causing us to have a winning season so far.”
Cooksey sees the duo as a vital piece to an overall young crew.
“We’ve got that sophomore class with a lot of guys that have been contributors for the past year,” Cooksey said. “But it’s a maturity approach every single night out because you’re going to get everybody’s best shot.”
Both players stand firm in their roles thanks to their dads’ support.
Joda Burgess has a front-row seat to watch his son play the game he loves. He’s a Russell assistant coach. Ryder Burgess said his dad has always instilled in him a sense of self-assuredness, which drives his success.
“The best advice my dad has given me is don’t compare yourself to others,” Burgess said. “You just worry about you.”
For Prickett, being on the court this season is the culmination of three years of rehab from an injury that kept him from doing what he loves, and his father’s advice helped guide him through that obstacle.
“From seventh to ninth grade, I wasn’t able to play because of a knee injury, which was hard at times, but he told me to stay the course,” Prickett said. “He told me to keep on working, and you slowly just get better and better, so I have kept on staying the course, which has been the biggest thing for me.”
Cooksey understands the relationship between a son and his father. As Cooksey coaches this duo, he does so alongside his own father, Rex Cooksey, who himself has been a coaching legend for 50-plus years. Brother Brett is also on the Red Devils coaching staff. All three have been head coaches, and the family has deep roundball roots.
“We both had that unique experience of playing for our dad and then now coaching with our dad,” Derek Cooksey said. “Having a father that has been there and done that—he’s had those experiences—it’s a luxury. It’s a family affair, so to speak, and I think our kids understand that.”
In addition to the bonds the duo feels towards their fathers, they also share a bond with each other.
“Jagger and I bond over that because our dads both played at the next level and we know what should be expected,” Burgess said. “We have a target on our backs because of it, but I feel like that’s what just makes us better, and we strive for that.”
Prickett said his friendship with Burgess started well before they shared the varsity basketball floor.
“I actually met Ryder from my grandparents when we were little, and we have always been really good friends since,” Prickett said. “It’s not really our dads, but our love of basketball that has given us a bond as teammates on and off the court.”
Derek Cooksey hopes the young pair, along with the rest of the Red Devils, can continue to build experience as the season enters the home stretch.
“Tournament time will be here before we know it, but there’s still time to work on things and get things right,” Cooksey said. “We just keep working on our craft and we keep buying in.”