The men’s basketball program in Alabama delivered a Power 5 transfer in the form of Nimari Burnett, a Texas Tech kitchen guard who spent one year in Lubbock, Texas.
Burnett committed to the Crimson Tide over teams like Auburn, Illinois, LSU Oregon and USC.
Last season, Burnett played in 12 games for the Red Raiders. The true first-year student averaged 5.3 points per game and shot 28 percent (14-of-50) off the field, 17.4 percent (4-of-23) from three and 88.9 percent (32- of -37) of the free throw line. Burnett also delivered 22 rebounds, 11 assists, 17 steals and six blocks during the 18-11 (9-8 Big 12) season.
The Chicago native was heavily recruited by Alabama who came from high school at Prolific Prep (Ill.), Where he was the country’s no. Was 6 combo wait and was the 34th overall prospect in the 2020 class, according to the 247Sports Composite of the industry. Crimson Tide assistant coach Bryan Hodgson was the primary recruiter for the former McDonald’s All-American.
Burnett is Alabama’s second commitment in three days, joining 4-star center Charles Bediako with the Tide. With the Bediako, guard JD Davison and forwards Jusaun Holt and Langston Wilson, the Crimson Tide is number 3 on the 247Sports Composite team rankings.
With Burnett’s commitment, Alabama is one of the 20-player scholarship for the 2021-22 season. UA lost four seniors in Jordan Bruner, Herbert Jones, John Petty and Alex Reese, but signed three players in the early signing period and got two more commitments this week. This means that someone on the current list will have to leave to make room.
Here’s an evaluation of Burnett from 2020 via former 247Sports analyst Brian Snow:
A large bodyguard who excels both on and off the ball. When playing on the ball, he uses his frame for a very long time to overwhelm defenders and get into the lane. Arriving there, Burnett shows solid floor vision and it’s good to find shooters. When playing off the ball, Burnett makes himself a goal scorer who can get buckets by attacking the basket as well as from deep. Although he is a better athlete than most would first expect, he must continue to get in better shape – which will help all aspects of his game. “
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