NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Nov. 12 decision day for five-star Nimari Burnett
Nimari Burnett is slated to make his NCAA Basketball choice on Tuesday and is reportedly deciding from four schools from all parts of the country.
Top 30 2020 recruit Nimari Burnett will make his college choice on Nov. 12, according to 247Sports
. Burnett is choosing between Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, and Texas Tech. He has taken visits to all four schools.
“I’m very excited,” Burnett told Daniels. “I can’t wait to get it out of the way and focus solely on my senior season.”
The consensus five-star recruit is ranked as the 19th best prospect in the class by ESPN. He is considered to be the 28th best prospect in the class by 247Sports and the 22nd by 247Sports Composite. Rivals also have him ranked 22nd in its rankings.
The 6-3 combo guard is a natural scorer who has a big sturdy frame that allows him to thrive on and off the ball. He is a wrecking ball when he gets going downhill and into the lane where he is an elite finisher. Burnett also has exceptional vision and the ability to locate shooters. The Chicago (Ill.) native can drain shots from long distance as well and possesses a 6-foot-10 wingspan that should help him defensively.
Burnett played at Prolific Prep last year, compiling 21.6 points in 20 games with a season-high 40 points coming against Our Lady Savior on Dec. 1 last year. Overall, he reached the 30-point plateau three times and tallied 20 or more points on 12 occasions.
Alabama and Texas Tech are considered to be the frontrunners to obtain Burnett’s services. However, Rivals’ Eric Bossi believes that his recruitment is wide open. Here is a short look at the finalists.
Michigan: The Wolverines have made Burnett a priority since Juwon Howard took over the program this spring. Former head coach John Beilein initiated the process before exiting for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Howard and Burnett have had a long-standing relationship, and Howard told him that he would be on the floor 30-to-35 minutes a game. Howard already has commitments from Zeb Jackson and Isaiah Todd, who is the first five-star commitment for Howard. The Wolverines project to have two more scholarships available for 2020.
Alabama: Burnett visited Alabama on Sept. 28, where he took in the Tide’s football game against Ole Miss. He said that Oats told him that he could come in and contribute right away. Alabama does not currently commit the class of 2020.
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders are a new interest for Burnett as he has a relationship with assistant coach Ulrich Maligi, who is in his first year with the program. TTU is, of course, coming off an appearance in the national championship game. The Red Raiders could use some help in the backcourt next year. They do have commitments from two players in the class and is slated to have one more scholarship left.
Oregon: The Ducks have recently been the most successful of the four programs that made the finalist list. Oregon has won 20 or more games in each of the last eight seasons. The Ducks have made two Sweet 16s, an Elite Eight, and a Final Four appearance during that stretch. They do not have a commitment from the class of 2020, either. They could use to add a combo guard with one of their three scholarships as seniors Payton Pritchard, and Anthony Mathis will be out of eligibility.
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Prediction: All four schools make good cases, but it appears that Oregon and Texas Tech have some momentum going into decision day for Burnett. I also believe his relationship with Howard gives the Wolverines a shot. So, I would put Oregon and Texas Tech a No. 1 and No. 1A with Michigan slightly in-back of both teams. I believe Alabama is a distant fourth.