Nimari Burnett looking forward to 'truly representing the Block M' in return to Michigan
Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball took on a new form this offseason with the coaching transition from Juwan Howard to Dusty May with nearly the entire roster flipped from last year. But there are going to be a few holdovers in 2024-25, namely graduate guard Nimari Burnett, who could play a key role on the team as a veteran voice.
Last year, Burnett started every game for the Wolverines, averaging 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists on the year. Following the season, he took some time to decompress and get some feedback in the 2024 NBA Draft process before deciding to return to Ann Arbor for his second season.
“It was definitely a detailed process where I had to take my time,” Burnett said on the Defend the Block Podcast. “I’m a big believer in Christ, so I had to ask God for direction and to make the best decisions possible. It took me a while as far as mentally to get over the hump of the end of the season and then transition into decision-making processes. And so I really took my time with that and really pondered where I would want to be.
“I decided to enter the NBA Draft and test the waters and then tired to get feedback and seeing where I’m at and seeing where they think I am as well, and kind of using that as motivation to prepare me for whatever was to come.
“Then I met with Dusty, and he seemed like a super great guy, heard nothing but great things about him and the rest of the staff, and I was also excited about the assistants that came in that I either knew previously or heard of, so was kind of seamless getting to know them. Shortly after I was like, yeah, I’m coming back and within one or two weeks it was understood between me and them. So I took my name out the draft process and all had all eyes toward this upcoming season.”
Burnett joined Michigan last season after starting his career at Texas Tech, followed by a stint at Alabama. He was hoping to be part of a group that got the Wolverines back to the NCAA Tournament, but things spiraled violently the other direction with the program finishing 8-24 on the year.
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Part of his decision to come back was to help realize the vision of leading Michigan back to greatness but also to show that there is more to unlock for him, as well. He wants to be part of the Wolverine renaissance.
“It’s a thing of wanting to prove those that don’t believe in this group wrong. But also, you want to prove the ones that also believe in you, right,” Burnett said. “I’m looking forward to that and kind of laying it out all on the floor and truly representing the Block M and enjoying Michigan basketball and bringing it back to what it should be.”
Injuries had kept him from consistently finding the floor at Texas Tech and Alabama, but the fact he was able to get through a full season without any nagging issues was a huge milestone for his playing career.
“I was first and foremost very fortunate and blessed to experience that and playing every game this season,” Burnett said. “Because in my previous stop in Alabama, it would be certain injuries that was like, ‘I don’t know how I could’ve avoided this.’ Whether it was a wrist thing, or something else, it was tough to get through and navigate those injuries and stay away from them.”
