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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Fresh off winning a national title, Michigan senior guard Nimari Burnett expressed his excitement to begin the next chapter of his basketball career.
But only once the celebration wraps up.
Burnett helped the No. 1-seed Wolverines to their first championship since 1989 on Monday, recording four points, four rebounds and two steals in their 69-63 victory over the UConn Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Elliot Cadeau was named the Most Outstanding Player after finishing with a game-high 19 points, three rebounds and two assists in front of an announced attendance of 70,720, while Yaxel Lendeborg tallied 13 points and Morez Johnson Jr. added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The championship game capped off a six-year college career for Burnett, which also included stops at Texas Tech and Alabama. He played just 12 games as a freshman with the Red Raiders and missed the entire next season with the Crimson Tide because of a knee injury.
Burnett flourished at Michigan, averaging nine points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 37.5% from 3-point range in 109 games across three seasons. He started every game and is one of 25 players in program history to log 100 or more appearances.
Experiencing so many obstacles over the course of his career, Burnett was overcome by a range of emotions on Monday. Speaking with the media before working a "shift" at Raising Cane's, he tried to put into words what it all meant when the final buzzer sounded.
"It was so many emotions because it was so gratifying," Burnett said. "The emotions were kind of sad that this would be my last time playing with this group, but also, just super excited that we achieved this goal that not too many people in the room get to achieve. I was extremely proud of myself and my team, and of everything it took to get it. It was the most meaningful moment of my life, but also the best time I've had throughout the year."
Burnett finished the season averaging 8.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 37.5% shooting from beyond the arc in 40 games. He registered 10 double-digit performances, including a career-high 31 points, five rebounds and two steals on Feb. 5 in a win over Penn State.
He was the only Wolverine to score at least 30 points this season.
Burnett previously tested the NBA predraft process to gain feedback from team executives, scouts and coaches before ultimately returning to school. He is excited to experience it fully this year as he will soon begin workouts and other related training.
"I can take from that experience the feeling of believing in yourself and understanding how it goes," Burnett said. "You obtain feedback. I figured out throughout my collegiate career my role and my identity as a basketball player, but as you go through that process, you really get a (feel) for it. I'm looking forward to fully going through it. There is no turning back."
Burnett isn't currently projected to be selected in the 2026 NBA draft, though the 6-foot-5 standout will have extensive opportunities to improve his stock through team workouts, interviews and other scouting events, such as the combine or the G League Elite Camp.
But before looking too far ahead, the 24-year-old and the Wolverines will formally celebrate their second-ever title with a parade through Ann Arbor on Saturday. He is excited to take it all in alongside friends, family, fans and the rest of the program.
"I look forward to going through the NBA process and seeing what is next for me," Burnett said. "I'm looking forward to whatever is next and taking the best opportunity possible, but also just appreciating these moments and being in it with my time here, and when I take it and leave soon for what is next."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Michigan news: Nimari Burnett eagerly awaits NBA draft preparation
Continue reading...
But only once the celebration wraps up.
Burnett helped the No. 1-seed Wolverines to their first championship since 1989 on Monday, recording four points, four rebounds and two steals in their 69-63 victory over the UConn Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Elliot Cadeau was named the Most Outstanding Player after finishing with a game-high 19 points, three rebounds and two assists in front of an announced attendance of 70,720, while Yaxel Lendeborg tallied 13 points and Morez Johnson Jr. added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The championship game capped off a six-year college career for Burnett, which also included stops at Texas Tech and Alabama. He played just 12 games as a freshman with the Red Raiders and missed the entire next season with the Crimson Tide because of a knee injury.
Burnett flourished at Michigan, averaging nine points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 37.5% from 3-point range in 109 games across three seasons. He started every game and is one of 25 players in program history to log 100 or more appearances.
Experiencing so many obstacles over the course of his career, Burnett was overcome by a range of emotions on Monday. Speaking with the media before working a "shift" at Raising Cane's, he tried to put into words what it all meant when the final buzzer sounded.
"It was so many emotions because it was so gratifying," Burnett said. "The emotions were kind of sad that this would be my last time playing with this group, but also, just super excited that we achieved this goal that not too many people in the room get to achieve. I was extremely proud of myself and my team, and of everything it took to get it. It was the most meaningful moment of my life, but also the best time I've had throughout the year."
Burnett finished the season averaging 8.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 37.5% shooting from beyond the arc in 40 games. He registered 10 double-digit performances, including a career-high 31 points, five rebounds and two steals on Feb. 5 in a win over Penn State.
He was the only Wolverine to score at least 30 points this season.
Burnett previously tested the NBA predraft process to gain feedback from team executives, scouts and coaches before ultimately returning to school. He is excited to experience it fully this year as he will soon begin workouts and other related training.
"I can take from that experience the feeling of believing in yourself and understanding how it goes," Burnett said. "You obtain feedback. I figured out throughout my collegiate career my role and my identity as a basketball player, but as you go through that process, you really get a (feel) for it. I'm looking forward to fully going through it. There is no turning back."
Burnett isn't currently projected to be selected in the 2026 NBA draft, though the 6-foot-5 standout will have extensive opportunities to improve his stock through team workouts, interviews and other scouting events, such as the combine or the G League Elite Camp.
But before looking too far ahead, the 24-year-old and the Wolverines will formally celebrate their second-ever title with a parade through Ann Arbor on Saturday. He is excited to take it all in alongside friends, family, fans and the rest of the program.
"I look forward to going through the NBA process and seeing what is next for me," Burnett said. "I'm looking forward to whatever is next and taking the best opportunity possible, but also just appreciating these moments and being in it with my time here, and when I take it and leave soon for what is next."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Michigan news: Nimari Burnett eagerly awaits NBA draft preparation
Continue reading...
