The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 23 ❱ MICHIGAN BASKETBALL block, and that'll turn into vice versa, where he'll learn how to feed me on the block. He's still young. He can learn those things, and I see it in his game." Nkamhoua is also excited to play some pick and roll with sophomore point guard Dug McDaniel. More than anything, though, he wants to get Michigan back to the NCAA Tournament where the Wolverines be- long and help get the culture back where it needs to be. "It's not something that can be built in a day, and it's not something that's just going to go away in a day or a year," he said. "One bad year doesn't define a team and their culture. I feel like we have the chance to bring it back to what it's known for, understanding that ev- erybody has bad years." NIMARI BURNETT IS READY TO HELP LEAD U-M HOOPS BACK TO THE TOP Michigan head coach Juwan Howard recruited Chicago native Nimari Burnett out of high school with high hopes. He'd hosted the guard at his camps when Bur- nett was young and developed a strong relationship with him and his family, only to see Burnett end up at Texas Tech, and then Alabama. It took three years, but Howard finally landed Burnett when he hit the transfer portal and pledged to the Wolverines this spring. The wing brings enthusiasm and determination to help get the Wolverines back to the upper echelon of the Big Ten … and to the NCAA Tournament. The feeling was clear from Day 1 on campus, he told Michigan play-by-play man Brian Boesch on his "Defend the Block" podcast. "I felt the energy of the guys that are really serious," Burnett said. "It wasn't immature — no immaturity has shown whatsoever. And seeing that these guys are serious about winning and improv- ing from last year and just improving in general individually, I think that's a big thing for us as a whole, and it will show this season." Burnett averaged 5.6 points and 2.0 re- bounds per game at Alabama last season, shooting 32.1 percent on threes and 46.3 percent from inside the arc. He started initially before suffering a wrist injury, and then came off the bench for an Ala- bama squad that won the SEC regular- season and tournament titles and earned a No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed. Though he needs to be more effec- tive as a scorer and with the ball in his hands— something he's been working hard on — he's ahead of the curve defen- sively. He's communicated to his team- mates that's where success starts. "I've already spoken up and told the guys what is [necessary] for us to have a huge year," Burnett said. "One of those things is defense. [If] we take pride defen- sively as a team, we can be one of the best teams in the country. "It's that, a lot of guys in our locker room have a chip on their shoulder, look- ing to prove themselves … including me. Having that and then a group of everyone — Juwan is very, very intentional about everyone being a leader, and everybody can be a leader in their own way. We have 15 guys on our roster right now; ev- ery single guy, one through 15, can be a leader." He's ready to prove himself in that re- spect, and it appears he's off to a great start. He has one goal in mind, he said. "Just someone who will come with a great, relentless effort," he said. "And a focus throughout the entire year that is all about winning." SETON HALL TRANSFER TRAY JACKSON HAS SOMETHING TO PROVE Detroit native Tray Jackson admit- ted he had a bit of a chip on his shoulder when he came to Michigan with his Se- ton Hall team for a game two years ago. He responded with 13 points and put on a three-point show in the Pirates' win, probably thinking it was the last time he'd play at Crisler Center. Instead, Jackson is back in Ann Arbor as a Wolverine after joining the team from the transfer portal. He can't wait to suit up in maize and blue, he said in July, af- ter averaging 6.5 points and 2.2 rebounds last year, shooting 37.5 percent from long range. "It means everything," Jackson said of his return home. "I've always been a fan of the Michigan Wolverines. I always wanted to come here. Having a chance to play in front of family and friends … it's just a dream come true, honestly. "When I'm working out, I always think about it — 'It came back full circle. You're honestly blessed to be in this position to come show what you can really do at one of the best schools in the country,' — but I don't think it's going to hit me until I re- ally put on that uniform and step on that court again." At that point, Jackson and Juwan Howard will both try to take another step in their progressions — Jack- son as a player, Howard as a coach. "That was one of the conversations me and Coach Howard had when he was re- cruiting me — 'We've both got things to prove here,'" Jackson recalled. "Of course, they made it to high levels before, but do- ing it again and again with consistency is something that I know Coach Howard is looking for as a coach. "For me as a player, I'm looking to come in and play with a chip on my shoulder. That's definitely one of the big things that drew me toward Michigan. I'm used to being an underdog, and from the looks of it, we have a lot of doubters, too. Being able to come out there with this opportu- nity, I know that we have the pieces to be successful." ❏ Last year at Seton Hall, Tray Jackson averaged 6.5 points and 2.2 rebounds, shooting 37.5 percent from long range. The Detroit native said he is looking forward to playing in front of friends and family at Crisler Center this season. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY