Many college hoops fans expected the Duke Blue Devils to make the Final Four after showing off a solid run in the March Madness tournament. However, they will watch the final games of the 2023-24 collegiate basketball season from the couch after DJ Burns and the NC State Wolfpack handed them a beating they’ll remember.
The 6’9″, 260-lb power forward has been winning fans over and over with his mesmerizing play and has even won more fanfare as his team prepares to face Purdue in the national semi-final.
As more eyes begin to focus on the Wolfpack, hoops fans become naturally curious about who Burns is and what his next steps will be once his college career is done and dusted.
DJ Burns is the epitome of hard work paying off
Burns took a long journey before finally becoming the star that he is with NC State.
Burns originally committed to the Tennessee Volunteers during the 2018-19 season, but his redshirted freshman season meant that he barely saw any action on the court.
This action prompted him to move to Winthrop during the 2019-20 season. While the Big South is less prestigious than the SEC, he immediately managed to get some playing time. During his three years with the Eagles, he averaged 12..5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks.
He transferred to the NC State Wolfpack in the 2022-23 season to play out the rest of his remaining eligibility. His performance didn’t dip despite the jump in the level of competition he faced. In his first season with the Wolfpack, he averaged 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks a game.
His performance remained at the same level in his fifth collegiate year. He got 12.6 points, 4.1 boards, 2.8 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.6 blocks. While it seemed like he took a step back in production, his performance in this year’s March Madness would make him a favorite among college fans.
Burns’ legendary March Madness run with the NC State Wolfpack
After a strong fun in the ACC Tournament where he averaged 15.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 63% shooting and 79% from the line, DJ Burns and the NC State Wolfpack were ready to take on the seemingly improbable task of making it to the national championship game.
They first took down Texas Tech, where he scored 16 points and one rebound on 64% shooting. However, it was against sudden darlings Oakland Golden Grizzlies that the friendly giant put everyone on notice.
Burns had an incredible showing against Jack Gohlke’s squad, tallying an impressive 24 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and a block. Marquette seemed to have his number offensively in the Sweet 16 as he only accounted for four of his team’s 67 points. However, he contributed with his rebounding (4) and playmaking (7).
His latest outing saw him be an unstoppable interior force against Duke. The Rock Hill, SC native balled against the Blue Devils, scoring 29 points on an impressive 13-for-19 shooting. He also had four rebounds and three assists to his name.
Will DJ Burns succeed in the NBA?
After such an impressive March Madness showing, it wouldn’t be weird to talk about the NC State Wolfpack star as a potential draft selection for teams in need of a reliable interior pressence.
NBA fans and teams will love him, as the personality he’s shown in interviews suggests a laid-back personality inside the giant frame. He’s shown a mastery of the post, and he has deceptive quickness that betray his gargantuan frame.
However, the question lies on whether Burns can develop a three-point shot. The current NBA meta is centered around the three-point line, and even the most average NBA big man can sink an NBA three. He’s only attempted 11 threes in his entire college career, and that’s a major schematic issue NBA coaches will have with his game.
If there’s any NBA player he can be compared with, it’s Kenneth Lofton Jr. It’s obvious that the former Louisiana Tech alum can play based on the eye test, but his style doesn’t suit the current way the NBA plays. Lofton is not getting any time with the Philadelphia 76ers despite the obvious talent he has.
Will the NC State Wolfpack crush another favorite?
With the NC State making the Final Four, it’s not strange to ask if the Wolfpack will be able to make it all the way. However, the team that stands in their way will make things tough for them.
The Purdue Boilermakers have been crushing opponents like nobody’s business and will likely be tagged as favorites by Vegas ahead of the big game. Zach Edey is coming off a red-hot shooting night, and his hot hand will likely continue against the Wolfpack.
However, NC State fans can rest easy knowing that their rock under center will do everything in his power to cause another incredible upset they’ll remember forever.
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