Basketball’s Oliver Burbach Commits to New York University

Basketball’s Oliver Burbach Commits to New York University

Basketball senior Oliver Burbach has committed to New York University. NYU is a Division III school that plays in the University Athletic Association.

“When I went on a visit, I loved the vibe in New York City,” said Burbach. “The whole team was very welcoming. I could see myself going there. The coaching staff was very nice, and they believe in me. I feel like that's one of the things that really drew me to NYU: the coaching staff, the players, but also the sense of community. It's very much like here at Brophy, where there's diversity and so many different types of people, but everybody has the common goal.”

Burbach will play for Head Coach Waleed Farid, who took over as head coach of the NYU team in June 2025 and led the squad to the NCAA Tournament in his first season.

The Violets posted an overall 18-9 record in Farid’s first season. NYU received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and defeated Gettysburg College in the opening round before falling to host Wesleyan University.

“Coach Farid is brilliant,” said Burbach. “He is in his second year at NYU, and they came off a national championship appearance in D3. So they didn't end up winning, but it shows he had high expectations and he delivered. And I just feel like he's one of the coaches that you want to play for.”

Burbach saw action in all 27 games last season, averaging 5.4 points while shooting 44 percent from the field, 71 percent from the line and 28 percent beyond the arc. He recorded three double-digit scoring games, led by a season-high 14 at Salpointe. He also eclipsed double digits in two postseason games. 

“Over the past four years, Oliver Burbach’s competitive intensity and versatility have made him an invaluable part of Brophy’s basketball program,” said Head Coach Matt Hooten. “A disruptive defender, he embraces the challenge of guarding an opponent’s best perimeter scorer, while his playmaking and scoring help drive our team’s success. We are confident that Oliver will bring that same tenacity and skill to NYU next year. We are proud of all he has contributed to Brophy and wish him continued success as he begins his next chapter in New York.”

Burbach is excited to continue his career after high school.

“It means the world to me,” said Burbach. “Basketball has been my whole life, and it's been my journey. I've had it written down on a whiteboard since I was in sixth grade, and it's been my one goal. To just to be able to do it, I'm just so blessed to even have the ability to play sports, let alone basketball, my favorite sport in the world. It couldn't have been drawn up any better.”

Burbach, who enjoys playing golf in his free time, follows his older brother, Ryan ‘25, to New York and the East Coast. The elder Burbach is in his sophomore season at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., just 220 miles from NYC. 

“Having an older brother to lay the road out for you and set the standard was really cool,” said Burbach. “Seeing how hard he worked, not only for himself, but also for me, meant a lot. I knew I couldn't let him down. Every single day, he's someone I think about and talk to. Following his work ethic growing up, working out with him early mornings, late nights, was pretty cool.”

The 2026-27 basketball season tips off on Dec. 4 against Mesa. 

“I'm just looking forward to one last ride with my guys,” said Burbach. “We're a very tight-knit group. We've been playing with each other since we were in like third grade. The chemistry is definitely there. I'm just excited to go see what this group can take us. I feel like we're really special and we have a good sense of community.”