Nimari Burnett undecided about future at Michigan [mlive.com]

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Call it an insurance policy. Nimari Burnett isn’t sure where he will be playing basketball next season, so he isn’t taking any chances.

Michigan will honor four players on Senior Day in the regular-season finale against Nebraska on March 10, including Burnett, a grad transfer guard who has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

After Thursday’s 82-52 loss at Rutgers, Burnett said he was “still figuring out” his plans for next season.

A McDonald’s All-American in the 2020 class, Burnett started his career at Texas Tech. He appeared in the first 12 games as a freshman off the bench before leaving the team for personal reasons. That season didn’t count against any player’s eligibility due to the NCAA’s COVID-19 waiver. Burnett transferred to Alabama and sat out the next season after tearing the ACL in his knee. Last season at Alabama, he played in 27 games with nine starts before graduating and coming to Michigan.

Burnett has started all 29 games for Michigan, the only player to do so, averaging 31.4 minutes, 9.7 points, and 4.2 rebounds per game.

He said he had a teammate at Alabama who was honored on Senior Day twice. Burnett would rather that for himself than never getting recognized.

“I said, ‘Let me do it this year and see what happens,’” he said, pointing out he’s only played two full seasons of college. “Obviously I know I have eligibility, but this is just in case.”

Michigan, which visits Ohio State on Sunday before the final game at Crisler Center, will also honor Jackson Selvala (a manager-turned-walk-on), Jaelin Llewellyn, and Terrance Williams II, a four-year Wolverine. Llewellyn, in his second season at Michigan, was honored in 2022 at Princeton.

A program spokesperson said Olivier Nkamhoua, Tray Jackson, and Jace Howard chose not to be recognized. Nkamhoua and Jackson are grad transfers in their first and only seasons at Michigan and were honored last year at Tennessee and Seton Hall, respectively. Howard is a fourth-year player who’d previously stated his intention to take advantage of the COVID waiver and play next season.

Burnett could play two more seasons of college, at Michigan or elsewhere. He’s been a key contributor, if inconsistent, at Michigan, ranking first on the team in steals and second in total assists. He’s shot 40 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3 on a team-high 137 attempts. Thursday’s loss dropped Michigan to 8-21 (3-15) and ensured a last-place finish in the Big Ten.

Michigan head coach Juwan Howard praised Burnett’s play and attitude after a game last week. “He’s a beautiful person to coach,” Howard said. “I’m happy and proud that he chose Michigan.”

Given Michigan’s departures after the season, Howard would certainly have a scholarship for Burnett if he wants it. If next weekend’s ceremony is like previous senior festivities, Burnett will receive a framed jersey and pose for photos at midcourt before the noon ET tip against Nebraska. It’s unclear whether it will be the last time he’s on the Crisler court in a Michigan uniform.

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