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Texas Tech basketball: Nimari Burnett named McDonald’s All-American

By Matthew Conner

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Texas Tech Red Raiders fans cheer on their team against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Texas Tech Red Raiders fans cheer on their team against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The Texas Tech basketball program has achieved another first as 2020 signee Nimari Burnett has become the program’s first-ever McDonald’s All-American.

Chris Beard continues to do what no Texas Tech basketball coach has ever been able to do.  Already having taken his program to the Elite Eight, Final Four, and National Title Game for the first time, he’s now brought the first McDonald’s All-American to Lubbock, Nimari Burnett.

That the 6-foot-3 guard is coming to Texas Tech isn’t news.  He committed to Beard and the Red Raiders this past fall and signed his letter of intent in November.  As the No. 24 player in the nation according to 247Sports, the 5-star Illinois native is the highest-rated player to ever sign with the Red Raiders.

Now, he’s the first-ever McDonald’s All-American to sign with Tech basketball as well.  The McDonald’s game will be played on April 1st in Houston and televised on ESPN.

Last year, many thought that Red Raider signee Jahmi’us Ramsey deserved to be included in the nation’s top high school basketball showcase.  Likewise, this year another Tech signee and Ramsey’s teammates last year, Micah Peavy, was a contender for McDonald’s All-American status.

But with only 24 players selected each year, the rosters are as exclusive as it gets.  That’s enough to suggest just how highly-thought of Burnett is in high school basketball circles.

He and Peavy combined with Chibuzo Agbo from San Diego comprise the Big 12’s top recruiting class in the current cycle.  With Peavy as the No. 34 prospect in the nation and Agbo checking in at No. 120, the next group of Red Raiders give Beard the No. 9 class in the entire nation, the best class Tech has ever signed.

"The website NBADraftRoom.com has the following scouting report of Burnett, “A scoring guard with a sturdy frame and a smooth, compact jumper, Burnett can get buckets from inside and out. He’s got a good low post game for a guard and uses his big frame well. Has an advanced mid-range game and knows how to create space for his shot.  He plays both ends and gives good effort on defense.  He’s probably not a one and done but he’s a player to keep an eye on.”"

6-foot-3 but just 185 pounds, he needs to add some weight, which he will do this summer when he arrives on campus.  He possesses an amazing wing-span of nearly 7-feet, which does give him a huge edge over many wings or perimeter players.

He seems to be the perfect fit in the motion offense of Chris Beard because of his all-around game.  While he is known as a natural scorer, he also has fantastic court vision and a reputation for being a lock-down defender, something that shouldn’t be taken for granted from a high-profile high school player.

Though the college basketball season will be reaching its apex in early April, Texas Tech basketball fans will get an early look at the future of Red Raider basketball when NImari Burnett showcases his game against the top players in the nation at the McDonald’s All-American Game.  It will certainly be a night that Red Raider fans will enjoy as we continue to see our program on the biggest stages the game has to offer.

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