Michigan basketball freshman George Washington III arrives in Ann Arbor, reveals unique jersey number
Michigan Wolverines basketball guard George Washington III is the lone member of the freshman class, and he’s now on campus in Ann Arbor. Washington arrived to U-M last week, as displayed on his social media, ahead of the 2023 season.
Washington posted a photo of his locker, revealing that he will begin his career wearing No. 40. Those digits were available last season, and in fact, no Wolverine has worn No. 40 since forward Phil DeVries from 2005-07. The last Michigan guard to sport a number in the 40s was No. 44 Kelvin Grady from 2007-09.
Washington joins junior forward Will Tschetter (No. 42) and sophomore guard Cooper Smith (No. 45) as Wolverines with jersey numbers in the 40s.
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Washington wore No. 40 at one point during his prep and AAU career. He switched around, also donning 3, 10, 44 and 66.
The four-star recruit out of Dayton (Ohio) Chaminade Julienne is ranked as the No. 126 overall recruit per the On3 Industry Ranking. He was named Gatorade Player of the Year in Ohio this past season.
Alabama transfer Nimari Burnett also on campus
Since he already transferred once, having begun his career at Texas Tech, Alabama transfer Nimari Burnett would not have been immediately eligible at Michigan unless he graduated, and he’s slated to earn his degree from UA August 5. He posted a photo of his own locker last week.
Burnett will wear No. 4 at Michigan, after donning No. 25 in both of his seasons with the Crimson Tide and his one year with the Red Raiders.
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Michigan walk-on guard Ian Burns, a junior, wore No. 4 last season, meaning another switch is in order. Burns played in No. 13 his freshman season but shifted to 4 once Jett Howard joined the team last year.
The most notable players to wear No. 4 in recent Michigan basketball history are forward Isaiah Livers (2018-20, before switching to No. 2), forward Mitch McGary (2012-14) and guard Darius Morris (2009-11).
Other potential Michigan jersey numbers
Michigan has added two other transfers in addition to Burnett in former Tennessee forward Olivier Nkamhoua and former Tennessee forward Tray Jackson.
On his visit to U-M earlier this month, Nkamhoua wore No. 13, the same set of digits he sported with the Volunteers. Jackson was No. 1 at Seton Hall but was shown wearing No. 2 in the graphic the Michigan program released announcing that he signed.
Last season, Jett Howard, the No. 11 overall pick to the Orlando Magic, was No. 13, while guard Kobe Bufkin, the No. 15 pick to the Atlanta Hawks, donned No. 2.
