ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Fresh off their national championship win, two Michigan Wolverines are working behind the counter.
Nimari Burnett and the son of head coach Dusty May, Charlie May, worked a celebratory “Shift” at Raising Cane’s in Ann Arbor on Thursday, April 9.
Days after delivering the University of Michigan men’s basketball’s first NCAA men’s basketball national championship since 1989, Burnett and Charlie traded the hardwood for the counter at Raising Cane’s.
Located steps from campus, the restaurant turned into a maize-and-blue celebration as Burnett and Charlie joined crew members and greeted a steady stream of Michigan fans.
The pair signed autographs, posed for photos, and stepped behind the counter to learn the basics, from bagging Box Combos to navigating the kitchen, as the celebration carried on around them.
The appearance marked a full-circle moment for both players, longtime fans of the brand who once frequented the restaurant as customers.
This time, they returned as national champions, leading the line and sharing the moment with the community that supported their title run.
The turnout reflected the magnitude of Michigan’s 69–63 victory over the UConn Huskies in the men’s basketball national championship game.
Students, families, and local supporters packed the area, turning a routine restaurant visit into a broader community celebration.
Raising Cane’s has built a reputation for transforming championship moments into fan experiences, offering supporters a chance to connect with athletes beyond the court.
For Burnett and Charlie, however, the focus remained local, a shared moment with fans that extended the championship beyond the arena and into the heart of Ann Arbor.