Illinois Basketball: 3 reasons Nimari Burnett should pick the Illini

Illinois basketball needs to add another big-time piece to the puzzle before the start of next season.

It was announced yesterday that transfer guard Nimari Burnett is conducting a Zoom meeting on Friday with the staff of the Illini. This is a huge meeting for Brad Underwood and his coaching staff because Burnett got away from them the first time around, and they don’t want to lose out on the five-star once again.

Landing Burnett would be huge for the Illini. But why should he come to Champaign?

Here are three reasons Nimari Burnett should pick the Illini.

1. Guard development

Nimari Burnett clearly has NBA aspirations. Being a former five-star recruit, the next level has to be on your mind.

Illinois is a program that can get Burnett to The Association. While the Illini haven’t had an NBA Draft pick since Meyers Leonard nearly a decade ago, at least two players are most likely to be selected in 2021.

One of the two players is Ayo Dosunmu. A four-star guard from Chicago, Ayo came to the Illini trusting that he would be able to get to the next level with the Orange and Blue. Since joining the program, Ayo has increased his points, rebounds and field goal percentage every season. He continues to develop as a player each and every game.

Da’Monte Williams is another great example of player development. Williams never shot above 35-percent from the field and 32-percent from three-point land in his first three seasons. But, as a senior, Williams is shooting 54.9-percent from the field and 61.1-percent from three-point range. He has also nearly doubled his rebounds and assists as a senior.

You can continue on with a wide range of guards that Illinois has developed. Burnett should pick the Illini because this coaching staff can mold him into a better, well-rounded, guard. This will enable Burnett to get to the next level.