At long last, Michigan basketball’s Nimari Burnett has found his perfect role.

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When a basketball player enters college as a McDonald’s All-American and is still in the NCAA in his fifth year, more often than not, it means he’s not likely to hit new heights in that final season.

Something along the way didn’t go right, with the majority of his story being written as a version he never imagined. Perhaps in said final season there’s a chance to go out on top. To serve as a mentor for younger players, usher in a program’s next era or, in these days even set up oneself for the future with some NIL funds.

But there are always exceptions, and Nimari Burnett is proving to be a big one for Michigan basketball.

Michigan guard Nimari Burnett (4) goes to the basket against Washington guard Luis Kortright (12) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025.

STILL PERFECT IN THE BIG TEN: Michigan basketball rolls past Washington, 91-75, stays atop Big Ten with MSU

At his third program in five seasons, Burnett has, indeed, taken his game to a whole new level. He went 6-for-6 from the floor Sunday afternoon at Crisler Center in Michigan’s 91-75 victory over Washington, including making all four of his 3-pointers en route to 16 points.

The Chicago native, a consensus top-50 recruit coming out of high school, had bounced from Texas Tech to Alabama to Michigan through his first four years and had never averaged scoring in double figures or shot even 40%.

But in 2024-25, he’s averaging 10.9 points per game, including a run over his past five games (including Sunday) in which he’s averaging 15.2 while shooting 72.7%.

“Michigan fans need to get really creative, go on Wikipedia and get to the page that says ‘efficient’ and post his picture,” head coach Dusty May joked Sunday. “There can’t be another basketball player in the country that’s playing as efficient basketball as Nimari Burnett. He’s a great example for young players, especially ones that their success didn’t happen as quickly as they want.

“Sometimes it does, but most of…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/long-last-michigan-basketballs-nimari-110642494.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2025-01-13 11:06:00

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