Howard Brings in Third Graduate Switch with Addition of Nimari Burnett

Howard Brings in Third Graduate Switch with Addition of Nimari Burnett

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — David and Meredith Kaplan U-M Basketball Head Coach Juwan Howard introduced as we speak (Friday, June 9) the addition of Chicago native and 6-4 guard Nimari Burnett as a graduate switch for the 2023-24 season. Burnett turns into the third graduate switch to affix the Wolverines following the early addition of 6-9 ahead Olivier Nkamhoua (Tennessee) and 6-10 ahead Tray Jackson (Seton Corridor).

“I’ve watched and gotten to know Nimari for a number of years,” mentioned Howard. “He has that ‘really feel’ for the sport that’s simply distinctive. That is why he has continued to excel on each ends of the ground. We additionally love his size, toughness and fervour for the sport. Nimari’s work ethic and management is off the charts. We will not await him to get right here.”

“I am very excited to change into part of the Michigan program,” mentioned Burnett. “It is a nice alternative for me to study from somebody of Juwan’s caliber in addition to from among the finest basketball minds within the nation. I’ve heard a lot in regards to the Maize and Blue trustworthy and I’m actually trying ahead to interacting with them, the Maize Rage and all the scholars on campus. If all goes properly we may all have a particular 12 months.”

A Chicago native, Burnett spent his last three prep years at Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) the place he was a Class of 2020 consensus top-40 participant and five-star recruit. He was chosen for the McDonald’s All-American sport and the Jordan Model Traditional earlier than each all-star video games have been canceled attributable to COVID-19.

Starting his collegiate profession at Texas Tech, Burnett performed 12 video games off the bench earlier than leaving the Raider program in January. He averaged 5.3 factors and scored a season-best 12 factors — going 7-for-7 on free throws — towards Grambling (Dec. 6, 2020), whereas including 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals.

Ultimately transferring to Alabama, Burnett missed the complete 2021-22 season after electing to have surgical procedure on his proper knee. Making his return in 2022-23, he performed in 27 video games with 9 begins for the Crimson Tide, who went on to document a 31-6 document and win the SEC regular-season and match titles. Incomes the No. 1 general seed for the NCAA Event, Alabama fell to eventual nationwide runner-up San Diego State within the Candy 16.

Highlighted by 5 double-figure scoring video games, Burnett posted a career-best 18 factors towards Jacksonville State (Nov. 18, 2022). He went on to common 5.6 factors per sport, including 2.0 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per sport.

Along with his collegiate play, Burnett helped USA Basketball win a historic first-ever gold medal on the 2019 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup, together with teammates Devin Askew (Cal), Dawson Garcia (UNC/Minnesota) and Ryan Morton (Purdue). He helped the USA to an ideal 7-0 document, scoring 40 factors, which ranked second on Workforce USA and fifth amongst all rivals. A member of Workforce Assault, Burnett helped earn a qualifying spot after incomes a gold medal (8-0) on the 2019 USA 3×3 U18 Nationwide Championship with Askew, Garcia and Morton.

With the additions of Burnett, Nkamhoua and Jackson, U-M has added seven graduate transfers during the last 4 seasons — guard Mike Smith (Columbia; 2020-21), guard DeVante’ Jones (Coastal Carolina; 2021-22), guard Joey Baker (Duke; 2022-23) and guard Jaelin Llewellyn (Princeton; 2022-23). Former Wolverine guard Jaaron Simmons (Ohio) was U-M’s first ever grad-transfer in 2017-18 and at present serves because the Wolverines’ video analyst.

• Wolverines Add Graduate Switch Olivier Nkamhoua for 2023-24 Season (6/7/2023)

• Wolverines Add Second Graduate Switch with Tray Jackson Signing (6/8/2023)