DJ Burns Jr. is gradually establishing his own reputation following his unexpected and impressive displays in the NCAA tournament. He is a key contributor to NC State’s success in the tournament.
The phenomenon of March Madness has a tendency to boost the tales of unlikely heroes, whose names are etched in memory and casually mentioned in sports establishments and social gatherings. NC State’s DJ Burns Jr. is quickly creating a similar lasting impact.
Early Life
DJ Burns comes from a family with diverse careers and talents. His father, Dwight Sr., serves as the authority figure for South Carolina Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services in York County. His mother, Takela, holds a position as assistant principal at Mount Gallant Elementary School.
Burns has a younger sister named Nadia. He is a skilled musician, proficient in various instruments such as the stand-up bass, tuba, piano, handbells, and saxophone. DJ Burns embarked on his basketball career while attending a preparatory school in the area.
In his junior year, he was named MVP in both the C. Dan Joyner Poinsettia Classic and the USA National Prep Championship. Throughout three seasons at York Prep Academy, he amassed an impressive 1,000 career points and over 1,000 rebounds.
NC State’s DJ Burns, a 6-foot-9 forward, shares the title of the second-tallest player on the Wolfpack with Ernest Ross, just behind the 6-foot-10 forwards Mohamed Diarra and Ben Middlebrooks.
Following a year as a redshirt in Tennessee, Burns transferred to Winthrop University in his hometown the following year. He was recognized as the Big South Freshman of the Year after recording averages of 11.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, making a notable contribution to the Eagles team.
Over the course of three years, Burns studied at Winthrop and during his junior year, he was recognized as the Big South Player of the Year. He achieved this honor by maintaining a personal best of 15.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
DJ Burns Jr. At NC State University
After completing his third year in college, DJ Burns transferred to North Carolina State University. During his fifth and final year, he cemented his impact on the Wolfpack by guiding them to victory in the ACC Tournament for the first time since 1987, defeating both North Carolina and Duke along the way.
During the competition, Burns maintained an average of 15.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. He was selected as the MVP of the ACC Tournament due to his outstanding performance of 20 points and seven rebounds in the ACC Championship game against UNC.
During the first round of the NCAA Tournament, he continued to play exceptionally well, contributing 16 points in a win against Texas Tech to keep NC State’s season alive and advance to the next round. In Round 32, he further solidified his reputation by scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a tense 79-73 overtime victory against No. 14 Oakland.
Burns was declared the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament’s South Region on March 31, 2024, following his leadership of NC State to their first Final Four appearance since 1983. In the Elite Eight match against rival Duke, Burns netted a total of 29 points.
