Michigan basketball is going to have an entirely new look next season as almost the entire starting lineup has moved on either to a new school or the NBA. The Wolverines got some good news when they heard that Riddy Gayle Jr. would return for another year, as Gayle started in 25 contests last season. However, the best news came when graduate guard Nimari Burnett decided to return for his sixth season at Michigan.
The news of Burnett returning came at the right time, as the Wolverines are still unsure if star transfer Yaxel Lendeberg will be in Ann Arbor next season or continue the NBA Draft process. Burnett was a solid starter for Michigan the last two seasons, with the 2024-2025 season being his best, averaging 9.4 points per game and 3.5 rebounds.
Burnett's reason for returning to Michigan was one unknown for a while, but now he has decided to share with the Michigan faithful, and it could have fans reaching for the tissue box to wipe away tears.
"I love Michigan, and that's the ultimate reason why I came back," Burnett said on the Defend the Block podcast.
Burnett added that the team that head coach Dusty May has built was also very intriguing to him, and he is excited to share the floor with his new teammates. However, Burnett went on gushing about Michigan and everything the team has meant to him. Even though the Chicago, Illinois native has not spent every season with the Wolverines, this place has had the most impact on him.
"Everything that Michigan means to me, it’s like a family atmosphere here at the University of Michigan, and I’ve enjoyed every single bit of it," Burnett said.
Nimari Burnett made sure to give the decision the time it needed to return to Michigan
Burnett knew that the decision to return to Michigan was not one he could make lightly, even though he started thinking about the day after the Wolverines' season was over. He had the choice to either stay for one more seaon or go pro, but while he might have known what was best for him, he had to make sure it was right for the team as well.
"Me coming back was always in question, but also it was a possibility," Burnett said. "Making sure that Dusty would love to have me back was a perfect situation for me, as well, and was a big part of why I was like, ‘Yes, let’s do it.’"
The return of Burnett is big for Michigan. While he may not have been the leading scorer for the Wolverines, Burnett still shot 62.7% from the floor and 40% from three-point range, neither of which will bode well for Michigan next season.