Texas Tech basketball in 5-star guard Nimari Burnett’s top 4
The Texas Tech basketball program is among four schools in the mix for 5-star 2020 guard Nimari Burnett.
Though the focus of most Red Raiders is on the young 2019 football season, anticipation for the upcoming Texas Tech basketball campaign is off the charts. While Chris Beard’s team will not return to action until early November, there’s still reason to be following Red Raider hoops.
That’s because Beard has the Red Raiders in the mix for some of the top players in the nation as he continues to work the recruiting trail. The latest development on that front came Monday when 5-star guard Nimari Burnett included Tech in his top-4 schools along with Oregon, Michigan, and Alabama.
Rated the No. 21 player in the nation by the 247Sports composite rankings, the Chicago, Illinois product is the No. 5 combo guard in the class of 2020. In addition to his top 4, the 6-foot-3, 185-pounder holds offers from Louisville, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, A&M, UCLA, USC, and Vanderbilt.
https://twitter.com/EditsRecruiting/status/1171222438140665856?s=20
According to 247Sports, Burnett will visit all four of his final schools with Tech set to be his final visit on the weekend of October 19th. That will be the weekend when Iowa State comes to Jones Stadium to take on the Red Raider football team providing Beard with a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best Lubbock has to offer.
"“When making my decision,” Burnett told Evan Daniels of 247Sports. “…it’s going to come down to me playing 30+ minutes a game playing primarily point guard while playing the two sometimes as well,” Burnett told 247Sports. “Also a good coaching staff that’s going to push me, and help me get to the next level. Also a team around me that could potentially win a national championship.”More from Wreck'Em RedTexas Tech football: Red Raider fans need to know about these MountaineersTexas Tech football: Red Raiders land first commit for class of 2025Texas Tech football: Why have the Red Raiders struggled on the road under McGuire?Texas Tech football: Why the Red Raiders can compete for a Big 12 titleTexas Tech football: Plenty of questions remain as conference play arrives"
His final statement about wanting a good coaching staff and an opportunity to win a national title certainly bodes well for the Red Raiders. In each of the last two NBA Drafts, Red Raiders have been taken in the first round with both Zhaire Smith and Jarrett Culver developing into sure-fire picks despite arriving in Lubbock as marginal 3-star prospects. And of course, Burnett had to be watching closely as the Red Raiders made their run to the National Title game in April proving that Beard has what it takes to get to the top of the college basketball mountain.
Perhaps Burnett could be a key addition that helps Beard bring home the title that eluded him but just a few seconds this year. He averaged 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 19 games on the prestigious Nike EYBL circuit this summer.
"“A big-bodied guard who excels both on and off the ball” wites Brian Snow on Burnett’s 247Sports profile. “When he plays on the ball, he uses his frame with great length to overpower defenders and get to into the lane. Once there, Burnett shows solid floor vision and is good at finding shooters. When he plays off the ball, Burnett makes himself into a scorer who can get buckets by both attacking the basket and from deep. While he is a better athlete than most expect at first blush, he does need to continue to get into better shape – which should help all aspects of his game.”"
Eric Bossi of Rivals.com says that he believes that this race is wide open but that he would consider Alabama and Michigan the current frontrunners. However, that all can change once the official visits have taken place.
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If there’s anything we’ve learned about Chris Beard, it would be that he’s as tough to beat on the recruiting trail as he is to beat on the court. That’s why Texas Tech fans need to keep an eye on Beard and his basketball program even as the football season hits full-stride because Beard and his staff never rest when it comes to building the Texas Tech basketball program into a national power.