Former NC State Wolfpack star DJ Burns has signed a contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers to compete for them in the upcoming Summer League, as per Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.
DJ Burns took the country by storm when he improbably led the NC State Wolfpack to the Final Four, where they eventually lost to Zach Edey and the Purdue Boilermakers. The 23-year-old center became an instant star because of his impressive touch and footwork, especially in the low post.
Last season, DJ Burns averaged 12.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 53.1 percent from the field. After his spectacular March Madness run, he was tipped as a late second-round prospect at best but went undrafted during the 2024 NBA Draft.
DJ Burns is not guaranteed an NBA roster spot, but his potential was too good for the Cleveland Cavaliers to pass up. With his new opportunity, Burns will get to showcase his talents in front of an NBA audience.
DJ Burns look to keep his NBA dream alive with the Cleveland Cavaliers
Because of his unique build and pessimistic draft outlook, DJ Burns considered a career change, jumping from basketball to American football to play in the NFL.
However, DJ Burns still tried for the NBA since he underwent a major body transformation leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania revealed that the former NC State Wolfpack center lost as much as 45 pounds in six and a half weeks.
If Burns can make the Cleveland Cavaliers roster, it will be a great story for him and his loved ones. If he does, he will likely be a two-way player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, playing behind Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Tristan Thompson, Marcus Morris Sr., and Dean Wade.
