Michigan Basketball Champions Celebrate Title at Raising Cane's

Wolverines guards Nimari Burnett and Charlie May worked a shift at the fast-food restaurant, sharing their 'rewarding' championship experience.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:50pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game or championship celebration, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in Michigan's team colors of blue and maize, conveying the energy and excitement of the Wolverines' title win.Michigan's national championship victory is celebrated through a cubist, geometric interpretation of the team's joyful triumph.Ann Arbor Today

After winning the NCAA men's basketball national championship, Michigan players Nimari Burnett and Charlie May celebrated by working a shift at the local Raising Cane's restaurant in Ann Arbor. The two guards spoke about their 'rewarding' experience of bagging orders, learning the kitchen, and serving food to excited fans.

Why it matters

The Wolverines' national title was their first in 37 years, capping off a remarkable turnaround for the program under new head coach Dusty May. Burnett and May's appearance at Raising Cane's allowed them to connect directly with the community and share in the joy of the championship victory.

The details

Burnett and May, who were key contributors to Michigan's championship run, spent time working the counter, preparing food in the kitchen, and interacting with customers at the Ann Arbor Raising Cane's location. The players expressed excitement and some nervousness about the experience, with Burnett noting the 'level of nervousness is, you know, playing at a national championship on one level and then cooking Raising Cane's at another level.' Both players also raved about the restaurant's signature sauce, with May recalling fond childhood memories of the chain from his time growing up in Louisiana.

  • Michigan won the national championship earlier this month.
  • Burnett and May celebrated the title by working a shift at the Raising Cane's in Ann Arbor last week.

The players

Nimari Burnett

A Michigan guard who has been with the team since the 2023-24 season, when the Wolverines went 8-24 before turning things around under new head coach Dusty May.

Charlie May

The son of Michigan head coach Dusty May, Charlie is a guard who helped the Wolverines win their first national championship since 1989.

Dusty May

The head coach of the Michigan men's basketball team, who took over the program in 2023 and led the Wolverines to the national title this season.

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What they’re saying

“I'll say I'm a little nervous to work this shift today. I think the level of nervousness is, you know, playing at a national championship on one level and then cooking Raising Cane's at another level.”

— Nimari Burnett, Michigan guard

“My favorite thing about Raising Cane's is the sauce. I was talking about the sauce in the car on the way here, and you can't go wrong with it.”

— Nimari Burnett, Michigan guard

“I'd have to agree about the sauce. When I was a kid, we lived in Louisiana in a really small town, and there was only a few fast food restaurants, and Raising Cane's was one of them. So the sauce has been my favorite since I was probably, like, six years old.”

— Charlie May, Michigan guard

“It's so rewarding. It goes to show that those who stay become champions, and me, Will [Tschetter], especially, we went through the trenches, if you will, and we understood how it felt to lose. And to turn that around, even last year, where we got to the point where we won eight games, and we were like, 'Yeah, we made it. We made it early in the season,' and to be a part of a championship group. We talk about the talent that we have on the court, but we have amazing people on this roster, and these will be brothers that I will call for life. So it's very rewarding having that championship trophy at the end.”

— Nimari Burnett, Michigan guard

“It was definitely an amazing feeling just to win. It's something I've always dreamed about, something I've wanted since I was a little kid. To do it with him, it adds a whole other level of depth. There's a certain level of joy, but it's also how proud I am of him. I know how hard he's worked for this, and I've seen it, the hours he's put into this since I was born and before that. But it's a level of pride and joy for him to reach the mountaintop.”

— Charlie May, Michigan guard

What’s next

The players are expected to continue celebrating the championship with the Michigan community in the coming weeks, including a parade and other fan events.

The takeaway

Michigan's national title victory was a culmination of years of hard work and perseverance for the program, and Burnett and May's appearance at Raising Cane's allowed them to connect directly with the fans and share in the joy of the championship triumph.