Bizarre: Nimari Burnett, The Highest-Rated Recruit In Texas Tech History, Is Leaving The Program After Just 12 Games For 'Personal Reasons'

I want to be very clear about something here. I don't give a shit if someone transfers. I think players should have the right to transfer without sitting out at least once, especially if their coach is fired or takes a different job. Players go play for a coach or a system more than a school. That's just a fact. But the reason I say bizarre is because Nimari Burnett was a 5-star McDonald's All-American and the highest-rated recruit in Texas Tech history. It's rare to see someone like that transfer from a program that Chris Beard has turned into a damn good program. 

The obvious guess here is he's upset about playing time. Fair in a way. I'm sure he was pitched of being the face of the program or one of the key players before they got Mac McClung and Jamarius Burton eligible on a transfer. But, again, look at Beard's track record. He gets guys drafted. Zhaire Smith and Jarrett Culver were both lottery picks. Jahmi'us Ramsey, who was the highest rated recruit in school history before Burnett, was a 2nd round pick last year. You can get to the NBA playing at Texas Tech. 

It's worth noting Burnett chose Tech over Alabama, Michigan and Arizona. Arizona and Alabama are currently thriving with high-major transfers at guard. Seems like a logical choice to go to one of those spots. Michigan, I blogged about earlier, they look like a national title contender. I believe Texas Tech technically hasn't started 2nd semester yet, which means he'd be eligible without a waiver at this time next year. But if you were going to transfer why not transfer a week or two ago to be safe? 

Anyways, what a transfer portal we have right now. Caleb Mills from Houston is the preseason AAC Player of the Year, Oscar T. from WVU was a 5-star and now Burnett. I just assume Eric Musselman will somehow get every transfer in the world like he always does.