Michigan basketball received some more good news under head coach Dusty May. May has hit the transfer portal hard since being named Juwon Howard’s successor at the end of March.
But the Wolverines got word that one of their own players was staying put yesterday afternoon with Nimari Burnett announcing that he was returning, according to Chris Peterson of Blue by Ninety.
One more year 😤 @NimariBurnett pic.twitter.com/ECURCDTlDl
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) April 30, 2024
Michigan Basketball Receives Grad Player’s Decision, What’s Next For Wolverines
Peterson said it was expected that Burnett would return despite going through Senior day this past season. He also entered his name in the 2024 NBA draft, but it was believed to get feedback from teams.
The transfer portal window closes on May 1st, so you had a feeling this was coming. There was going to be some sort of announcement, but this is a move I like for the Wolverines.
Whether he comes off the bench or even starts, Burnett gives Michigan another quality guard, who can shoot from deep and defend. That’s nothing to scoff at.
Burnett, a consensus 2020 recruit, joined Michigan last year as a transfer from Alabama. The 6-4 wing was the only player to start all 32 games for the Wolverines last year and saw the second most minutes, behind only Terrence Williams II — one of five UM players who have entered the transfer portal.
Burnett produced his best season last year. Barnett averaged 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in nearly 32 minutes. He also knocked down 1.6 threes a game while shooting .399/.347/.721.
Burnett scored in double-figures in 16 of 32 games last season, topping the 20-point mark once. He grabbed double-digit rebounds once and was one of Michigan’s best defenders.
Will Jace Howard Return?
With Burnett back in the fold, Michigan has 11 players on scholarships for 2024-25 after George Washington III entered the transfer portal for the second time this year. Burnett and Will Tschetter are the only two returnees from last year’s squad that suffered a program record 24 defeats.
However, Jace Howard has not made his plans known, at least publicly. If Howard does return, he would be the 12th player on scholarship.
Howard only appeared in 10 games a season ago, averaging 12 minutes per game in 2023-24. The 6-8 wing has played 460 minutes in 65 career contests, making more than 20 appearances just once in four years.
So, if Howard returns, he likely won’t see much time this year, as May has brought in six transfers. These six incoming players are rated collectively as the best group transfers by On3 and fifth by 247sports. This transfer group includes two centers (Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin), one forward (Sam Walters), two wings (Roddy Gayle Jr. and Rubin Jones), and one point guard, Tre Donaldson.
May also has three freshmen in his 2024 class, led by four-star guard Justin Pippen and three-star guards Durral Brooks and Lorenzo Cason. Brooks signed with Howard but kept his commitment once the coaching change occurred.
What Is Next For The Wolverines?
First, it depends on whether May wants Howard to return and if Howard also wants to be in Ann Arbor. That decision is important because it will determine how many scholarships the Wolverines will have.
Regardless of the parties’ ultimate decision, 247Sports Davis Mosely believes that Michigan will look to add an impact guard.
My gut tells me watch for Michigan to get involved with an impact guard.
Need one for sure
— Davis Moseley (@DavisMoseley) April 29, 2024
Some of the impact guards still available include Koby Brea (Dayton), Javon Small (Oklahoma State), Kadary Richmond (Seton Hall), Deivon Smith (Utah), Chaz Lanier (UNF), Wooga Poplar (Miami), Desmond Claude (Xavier), Elijah Hawkins (Minnesota), Max Shulga (VCU) and Chaunce Jenkins (Old Dominion).
While another guard would be nice, the Wolverines would be better served signing a forward if they only have one scholarship available. One option that remains is four-star 2024 recruit Khani Rooths. Rooths de-committed from UM after Howard was dismissed, but it is widely speculated that the Wolverines are still an option.
