BBall Recruiting - New 2020 Target (and Visitor)/EM 5* Guard Nimari Burnett

Submitted by Matt EM on February 10th, 2019 at 10:13 AM

Add Nimari Burnett to the 2020 board. This kid checks all the boxes in terms of what we want on and off the court. Would be a HUGE addition to the 2020 class. The fact that his family is flipping the bill for an unofficial should certainly tell you about his interest level in Michigan. Fully expect him to be offered on the visit.

 

http://endlessmotor.net/2019/02/10/em-5-guard-nimari-burnett-having-monster-season-breaks-down-recruitment-with-2-visits-on-deck/

njvictor

February 10th, 2019 at 10:47 AM ^

Looks like a very legit player and could continue as the next member of Short Shorts Squad. I'm already doubtful on our chances with 5*s due to Beilein's philosophy on freshmen earning their minutes in practice and having to get his trust, and with $chools like Illinois, Louisville, Arizona, Arizona State, USC, LSU, DePaul, Ohio State, Indiana, Marquette and Oregon on the prowl for him, I'm also pessimistic

Matt EM

February 10th, 2019 at 10:55 AM ^

I can understand your pessimism, but the kid is from Chicago, is in good academic standing (Stanford) and is extremely well-spoken.

We often discuss certain prospects not being recruitable for various reasons, but I definitely think this is one where I'd like the staff to show more 'love'/begging. You have a 5star kid, but perhaps not quite a one and done type, taking an unofficial visit...……..think we should certainly be one of the schools in contact most frequently. He checks ALL the boxes.

MGlobules

February 10th, 2019 at 1:33 PM ^

Okay, this is Maizen in a new guise. No, did not know. A glance would have told you I have been coming here since 2008. . . when, I have to say, the place was a lot more pleasant and the conversations more stimulating. Was out of the country for six months and when I came back it seemed like things had taken another sharp downturn. The game-day threads have always sucked, though. . . 

Mr Miggle

February 10th, 2019 at 11:14 AM ^

I don't think Beilein's philosophy about earning playing time is the reason he rarely gets 5* recruits.

I tend to be pessimistic about landing recruits when Michigan is one of many schools competing for them too. However else you want to look at it, the odds aren't favorable.

1VaBlue1

February 10th, 2019 at 5:49 PM ^

I don't think he's hesitant to play freshmen, but he does insist that whoever gets on the floor proves that they know enough to do so.  If you don't know how the offense works, at least for your own position, you don't get to play.  But if you figure it out, you get minutes like everyone else...

Mr Miggle

February 10th, 2019 at 6:49 PM ^

How soon we forget. When Simpson was struggling last season he started Brooks in his place. He started Livers over Robinson most of the season. Duncan stepped up his play significantly to earn back more minutes.

Beilein has been consistent about playing to win. He doesn't play freshmen just to get them experience or because he made promises to them in their recruitment. (Because he doesn't promise playing time.) He plays them when he thinks they will help the team win more games. 

Mike Damone

February 10th, 2019 at 12:33 PM ^

Sounds like he has interest in us - as well as the rest of the schools in the Top 20, and few more beyond (incl Ohio State and Illinois).

Would be a nice get.  Hopefully his unofficial visit leads to a narrower list with us on it...

Matt EM

February 10th, 2019 at 12:43 PM ^

I'll try to get ahead of the game here, as people typically ask me for comps. Burnett has some Eric Gordon (Indiana) qualities to his game...…….I don't think he's quite as polished in terms of his handle, but definitely more explosive than Gordon at the same stage. Neither player has great first step acceleration, but the perimeter shotmaking ability off the bounce or the catch in a similar frame is comp worthy. I think Burnett is a day 1 contributor that is likely a 2, but can handle some on-ball duties at times. To put this in quantitative context, Nimari put up nearly 15ppg, 4rebs, 2assts on the EYBL circuit in 2018...…...while playing TWO years up. That's impressive.

Frank Chuck

February 10th, 2019 at 2:52 PM ^

I see the Eric Gordon comparison. I think Brad Beal is a good comparison too (based on the youtube highlight videos I've seen of Nimari). (I had the pleasure of seeing Beal up close in HS and in AAU - St. Louis Eagles.)

I want to see Burnett improve (1)  his handle and (2) his ability to create fo teammates.


Re: Handle

A good defender at the college level will get lower than Burnett and use leverage to knock the ball away. Besides, having a good handle will allow Burnett to get to his spots more frequently and create separation especially 1-on-1 without the aid of a screen.