Star guard Nimari Burnett leaves Morgan Park

Rising sophomore Nimari Burnett, one of last season’s breakout stars, is transferring from Morgan Park and heading to California.

Burnett confirmed the move on Friday and said he’ll miss playing in Chicago.

“I really don’t know what is going on,” Morgan Park coach Nick Irvin said. “I haven’t talked to anybody.”

Burnett, one of the nation’s best players in the 2020 class, was terrific in the Class 3A state title game. He made three three-pointers in overtime and scored 20 points to lead the Mustangs to the title.

The sharpshooter also came up big in the city semifinals. He exploded onto the scene in a win against Bogan back in December.

Burnett is one of a group of local players featured on Bringing Up Ballers, a Lifetime channel reality show.

He’s been a well-known player in Chicago for several years. Burnett played on the eighth grade team at Beasley Elementary for three years. He was good enough to play on the city’s best eighth grade team as a sixth grader, which is rare.

Burnett held a press conference last summer to announce that he was attending Morgan Park. Mustangs coach Nick Irvin was there, smiling widely.

“[Burnett] is a ballplayer, he’s a gamer,” Irvin said back in December. “I believed in him from day one, put him on varsity and never looked back. I know what his capabilities are. He loves the moment. He almost shoots better than me, almost. The team loves him. He’s an all-around great player.”

There are rumors that another pair of players may leave Morgan Park, but also whispers of a high-profile transfer joining the Mustangs.