Former Alabama G Nimari Burnett Details Transfer Decision

The former Crimson Tide guard is now in the portal after one full season in Tuscaloosa.

Austin Hannon | Mar 29, 2023

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Alabama Crimson Tide

Former Alabama Basketball star defender Nimari Burnett entered the transfer portal on Tuesday.

This is his second time in the portal after transferring from Texas Tech to the Crimson Tide in April 2021.

On Wednesday, Burnett joined "The Next Round," detailing his decision to leave Alabama after just one full season for the Crimson Tide.

"This group, it’s very special to me," Burnett said. "From the players, to the coaching staff, to the athletic trainers, the nutritionists, the academic advisors — I’ve built relationships with people all over this campus.”

"It was actually a very tough decision. I don’t want to leave this place and I don’t want to leave you know what I built and what this team built over this past year."

Burnett averaged 5.6 points and two rebounds per game in 27 games. He started in nine of those contests.

After beginning the season in the rotation, Burnett struggled to see the floor after his early-season wrist injury — including a DNP in the SEC tournament championship game against Texas A&M.

He is a former McDonald's All-American.

"It's kind of about doing what's best for yourself," Burnett said. "Although that may sound a certain way, it's not. You came into this situation to better yourself as a player and as a person. Although I have done that, I do think I can get even better in a better situation. When it comes to the players on this team and the coaching staff — it wasn't like I was super disgruntled and hated everything. It was a very tough decision."

Burnett said that there were times when his relationship with head coach Nate Oats wasn't perfect — but that's normal during a long season.

"It was great throughout the season," Burnett said. "[There were] times when it wasn't super good but that's what happens throughout a season — especially through injuries and things like that. But no hard feelings at all. […] I have the utmost respect for him. He always told me the truth. He made me a better person and a better player and I'm forever grateful for that."

Austin Hannon joined the BamaCentral team in December 2022. He graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in sports media and brings a ton of journalism experience. Hannon is the former sports editor of The Crimson White, the University's school newspaper. Hannon's coverage focuses primarily on Alabama football, men's basketball and baseball. Contact: cahannon01@gmail.com

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