He didn’t hear his name called in the NBA Draft, but the legend of DJ Burns will continue. NC State’s smiling star will play for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ summer league squad, according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.
Burns, a 6-foot-9, 275-pound center, averaged 12.9 points and 4.0 rebounds for the Wolfpack this season. He was a key piece of the Pack’s Final Four run, including a 29-point effort in the Elite Eight win over Duke.
Since he left NC State after the Pack’s loss to Purdue in Phoenix, Burns lost 45 pounds in six weeks during his predraft workouts. He had multiple workouts with various NBA teams, but none called during the two-round NBA draft on Wednesday or Thursday.
The Rock Hill, S.C., native helped guide the Wolfpack to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in his two seasons at NC State. Before he arrived in Raleigh, Burns spent three seasons at Winthrop, where he starred for his hometown team.
But it was at NC State where Burns became a national sensation. He was able to use his trademark fadeaway jumper, while also having an uncanny ability to get to the rim by backing down his opponents with ease.
Although he was able to make his mark on the court, Burns did not want to be known for that at NC State. Instead, he wanted to be remembered by his persistence to be successful.
“Just remember me as someone who wanted to win,” Burns said. “Someone that wasn’t easy to rattle and someone that was going to give literally everything I’ve got to be successful.”
Burns was key in helping the Wolfpack basketball program return to its national prominence of the 70s and 80s — which he deemed a success following the Final Four.
“I’ll remember it as an amazing thing,” Burns said with a slight tear in his eye. “It was the best year of my life, basketball wise.”
Burns’ mantra that drives him each day seemingly helped change the viewpoint of NC State basketball.
“I always say, the best thing you can do is make life around you better,” Burns said. “And then your life will be good if you make it better for everyone else. That’s how I try to live it.”
He did just that, and now Burns will kick off his professional career in Las Vegas, looking to earn a full contract from the Cavaliers this summer.
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