Nimari Burnett is Transferring to Michigan
He took a winding path to get here, but Michigan finally has one of their top guard targets from Hunter Dickinson’s class(!!!) in transfer SG Nimari Burnett.
NEWS: Alabama transfer Nimari Burnett has committed to Michigan, he tells @On3sports.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) March 30, 2023
Former McDonald’s All-American. Began his career at Texas Tech.
Story: https://t.co/dNWMlVTTvq pic.twitter.com/nQ46sLB7eH
Burnett was a McDonald’s All-American out of high school that Beilein was recruiting early, and Juwan Howard was close to landing until Texas Tech gave him offer he couldn't refuse. However the 5-star was mostly extra part at Texas Tech and a rotation guy at Alabama. Like Bufkin about this time last year, Burnett has shown he can get to the rim, and his shot looks purer than the result. Turnovers have been a problem, but he received some good lessons in defense at TTU and has a strong background in efficient basketball from his time at Alabama. If you’re picking a couple of systems to come from, those are good ones.
What Burnett’s role will be depends a lot on what happens with Kobe Bufkin, who’s at least going to get a draft evaluation and seems more likely than not to be told it’s time to go pro. There’s still a lot of talent in Burnett, but turning the player he has been thus far in his college career into what Bufkin became over the course of the 2022-‘23 season is a tall order.
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March 30th, 2023 at 12:14 PM ^
Fantastic news. It'd be great to be recruiting and growing our own who are here multiple years, but huge area of need, and very welcome.
One question:
Was this discussed with Dug?
March 30th, 2023 at 12:19 PM ^
If nothing else a solid depth guy. It's crazy he's only going to be a junior since he missed a year in the transfer from TT.
Why did he miss 21-22? Presumably, he was eligible? How is he eligible to play this year? I thought you get one free transfer but if you transfer again, you need to sit out a year.
I believe he missed 2021-22 because he transferred before the NCAA allowed all student-athletes one free transfer. He can come to Michigan without penalty this year because he will be a graduate transfer.
It was a medical redshirt. UMHoops has a much better recap. He was also injured most of this year to some extent with a wrist issue.
Wasn't that also the offseason that Chris Beard left TT? The fact the coach he originally committed to left and was replaced by a guy who would tell his players they should be more obedient like slaves probably also contributed to his departure.
March 30th, 2023 at 12:20 PM ^
Has a lot of the same feel as the situation with Chaundee. Plays defense, needs a place where he'll get a chance, someone Michigan & Coach Howard knows. I'm totally onboard with this addition!
Don't really agree that this is analogous to Chaundee Brown, but I do think there is some upside with Burnett
I saw someone else use the analogy of a different version of Charles Matthews and I'd be good with that too ;)
Yeah, Mathews as a defensive guy without great outside shooting is probably the better comp than Chaundee who was a good outside shooter. This guy probably isn't as good as Mathews defensively but anywhere near would be great.
March 30th, 2023 at 12:27 PM ^
This is a really good pickup. He has 3 years of eligibility remaining. He isn't going to be as effective as Kobe, and next year is probably still rough, but I like it because you can build more stability at the guard spots. Dug and Nimari starting together for the next 3 years. Gives GW3 and Anderson time to work in.
March 30th, 2023 at 12:34 PM ^
It's my understanding that the only reason he'll be able to play right away is because he plans on graduating, so we'd be taking him as a grad transfer. Don't think we'll be getting him for as long as you're thinking here but I could have heard that wrong.
March 30th, 2023 at 12:42 PM ^
He could chose not to play out his eligibility, but he has it and he'd have to blow up to go to the NBA
Unless we find out tomorrow that Dug is transferring because he won't be the only guard on the team
March 30th, 2023 at 12:29 PM ^
If Kobe comes back, this is perfect! He can back up Kobe and Dug, as Kobe and Dug can get 30ish minutes each, with Burnett getting 20ish a game, and GH3 doesn't have to rush into the lineup. Backcourt is now secure, front court is secure with HD, Reed, and Papa if Hunter returns. Wings are still a question, but Kobe or GW3 could play the wing if needed for some lineups. Best luck Nimari!
March 30th, 2023 at 12:48 PM ^
Im hoping Juwan learned a valuable lesson last year. If they 'can" be gone recruit like they will be gone. 12 players that can play minutes the following season no matter what happens.
When your own son makes the jump. Maybe there isn't even a lesson to learn.
March 30th, 2023 at 12:54 PM ^
I've accepted that the guard rotation next year is Dug-Llewellyn-Burnett. GW3 will be in case of emergencies if someone gets hurt. Papa not gonna be able to find minutes at the 5. Hunter soaks up 32 minutes and you have to try to get Reed out there more. Wings are going to be Baker, TWill, Khayat, Tschetter.
There are some rumors floating around Papa. I'm not going to add to that but I'll let you look into that if you're interested.
Way to be vague, at this point just drop the news.
Some smoke that there may be an issue. Little unclear if it's admissions or otherwise at this point. Either way, I'd put it at about 50/50 if Papa ended up on campus. But I'll be honest, that's based on kind of some mixed info I've heard. And I certainly don't want to suggest I'm some big insider. Apologize for the vague previous comment. I know how annoying those can be, hope this helps.
March 30th, 2023 at 12:49 PM ^
Exciting! Seems like exactly the type of guy we were missing this year.
welcome!
I hope this isn't a bad indication about Kobe. But agree it's probably a longshot he returns anyway. When the NBA folks dig into his tape, I think he'll climb into the lottery.
Good news. Be better if he was backing up Kobe.
I hope Namari recaptures all the promise he held coming out of HS-where he was all set to come to Michigan the first time. I thought he was the best guard in his class-an excellent playmaker, good defender and a very heady player.
If Kobe comes back this is great, if he doesn't its still necessar
The 2020 near miss redo train rolls on... Myles Hinton, Andrew Gentry in football and now Nimari Burnett in basketball. Maybe there is still time for Theo Johnson, Justin Rogers and Tony Grimes? Can we get some retroactive eligibility for Walker Kessler, Josh Christopher or Isaiah Todd?
Is Coach Howard also looking at Yohan Traore, a former recruit wish?
why is Hunter Dickinson leaving us?
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