Nimari Burnett: Michigan’s Steady Hand in a Season of Change
With Michigan men’s basketball sitting comfortably as the No. 3 team in the country, the spotlight has naturally gravitated toward the new faces powering the Wolverines’ rise. Four transfers headline the starting five, and the narrative has largely centered on what Michigan gained over the offseason. But if you’ve been watching closely, there’s one name that’s been quietly holding it all together: Nimari Burnett.
Burnett isn’t just a returning player - he’s the connective tissue in a lineup built on fresh talent. And while the headlines might not always reflect it, his consistency, leadership, and willingness to adapt have been just as important to Michigan’s success as any box score breakout.
Let’s start with the most underrated stat in basketball: availability. Burnett has started every game since arriving in Ann Arbor for the 2023-24 season.
That’s not just durability - that’s reliability. In a program that’s undergone a major overhaul, Burnett’s presence has been a constant.
Now, his role has shifted this season. His minutes are down - from 26.3 per game last year to just under 20 - but the impact remains. Burnett’s not sweating the change, either.
“We’re so deep, man,” Burnett said Tuesday. “This team has so many talented guys… sometimes I don’t even want to play 30 minutes. Going out there for a hard 20 or 25, having fun, that translates to the other guys and gives them energy when they come into the game.”
That’s not just veteran perspective - that’s leadership. And it’s not empty talk, either.
Despite the reduced floor time, Burnett’s efficiency has improved. He’s turned the ball over just eight times through 18 games - a sharp drop from 25 at the same point last season.
That kind of ball control is gold for a team with championship aspirations.
Offensively, Burnett is still hitting threes at the same clip as last year while averaging around nine points a night. In a lineup stacked with size, his ability to space the floor is critical. Michigan’s bigs need room to operate, and Burnett’s catch-and-shoot game helps create that breathing room.
But he’s not just a spot-up shooter. At 6-foot-5, Burnett can put the ball on the deck and get to the rim.
He’s a smooth operator in transition and finishes well through contact. When he gets to the line, he makes it count - knocking down 82% of his free throws.
Defensively, Burnett is as versatile as they come. He can guard one through four, which is a huge asset in a system that relies heavily on switching.
He’s strong enough to handle bigger wings and quick enough to stay in front of guards. Whether he’s recovering on the perimeter or trapping in the corner, Burnett’s defensive IQ and athleticism make him a plug-and-play weapon.
And Michigan coach Dusty May knows exactly what he has in Burnett.
“If you told Nimari Burnett, you can either be 17-1 (if he sacrificed minutes) or be at Oregon’s record at 9-110, I think he would choose the former, I know he would,” May said Tuesday. “I just know his character… I know he doesn’t care about sacrificing a couple minutes to have a chance to win at a high level.”
That character - the willingness to do what’s needed, not just what’s flashy - is what makes Burnett invaluable. He’s not chasing stats.
He’s chasing wins. And in a season where Michigan is gunning for something special, that mindset is exactly what you want from a veteran leader.
Burnett might not always be the headline, but he’s the heartbeat. And as the Wolverines continue their climb, don’t be surprised if his steady hand proves to be one of the biggest reasons they stay near the top.