Welcome to Year In Review, a look back at how Michigan’s returning players performed in 2024-25, and forward at how their roles could expand, change, and adapt in 2025-26. Today, we start with Nimari Burnett.
Nimari Burnett’s decision to return to Michigan before last year went somewhat under the radar. He didn’t announce the decision until late April, and most Michigan fans were focused on the talented class of transfer portal players that Dusty May had signed rather than the returnees from Michigan’s 8-24 season.
Burnett’s season was anything but under the radar. He started every game for the Wolverines and emerged as one of the most consistent players in the rotation. Burnett averaged 9.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 26.3 minutes per game as a senior. He improved almost universally across the board in his efficiency and per-minute production.
Entering the 2024-25 season, it was tough to project how many minutes Burnett would play and his role. At the end of the year, it was hard to imagine Michigan reaching a similar level of success without Burnett as a key contributor.
Midway through the season, May referred to Burnett as a “testament to all that is right in college basketball.” Now, he’ll have the chance to coach the talented guard for one more season in Ann Arbor.
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