Michigan's Nimari Burnett playing in his Chicago hometown for a spot in the Final Four
Nimari Burnett's basketball journey has taken him all over the country. Burnett and the Wolverines play for a spot in the Final Four when they take on Tennessee on Sunday at United Center, the Chicago Bulls' home arena.
CHICAGO (AP) — Nimari Burnett's basketball journey has taken him all over the country. From high school in Illinois and California, then to college with Texas Tech, Alabama and, finally, Michigan. All the way back to his hometown for perhaps his biggest moment yet.
Burnett and the Wolverines play for a spot in the Final Four when they take on Tennessee on Sunday at United Center, the Chicago Bulls' home arena. For Burnett, a 24-year-old Chicago native, it's an incredible turn of events. “I remember growing up as a kid and dreaming about playing on a high level.
Being here, watching Derrick Rose when I was growing up was always amazing,” he said. “But being here, playing for a Final Four, I think nothing tops that. ” Burnett played for Morgan Park, about 20 miles south of United Center, for one season before finishing his high school career with Prolific Prep in Napa, California.
He played one season at Texas Tech and one at Alabama; this is his third and final year at Michigan. The 6-foot-5 guard has started each of his 106 games with the Wolverines, averaging 9. 1 points and 3.