NC State Newsstand: DJ Burns signs pro contract in Korea
NC State forward DJ Burns took the world by storm during the Wolfpack’s miraculous run through March to reach the Final Four this past season. Now, he’s off to Korea to begin his professional career.
Burns inked a deal with the Sono Skyhawks, a team in Korea’s top professional league, over the weekend, the team announced.
The 6-foot-9, 275-pound center averaged 12.9 points and 4.0 rebounds this past season with the Wolfpack. He was a key piece of the Pack’s Final Four run, including a 29-point effort in the Elite Eight win over Duke.
Shortly after he left NC State after the Pack’s loss to Purdue in Phoenix, Burns lost 45 pounds in six weeks during his predraft workouts. Burns earned an NBA Summer League look from the Cleveland Cavaliers this past summer, where he averaged 5.8 points on 55.6% shooting in just 11.9 minutes a game.
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.
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“Just remember me as someone who wanted to win,” said Burns, the ACC Tournament and NCAA South Region Most Outstanding Player. “Someone that wasn’t easy to rattle and someone that was going to give literally everything I’ve got to be successful.”
Tweets of the day
NC State coach Dave Doeren had high praise for freshman quarterback CJ Bailey after the signal-caller took over in the second quarter during Saturday’s win over Louisiana Tech.
Check out some of Bailey’s highlights from this weekend.
Pack women’s soccer earned a big win Sunday afternoon in Raleigh.
Quote of the day
NC State’s secondary played a bevy of its reserves against Louisiana Tech with both starting cornerbacks out. Redshirt junior linebacker Caden Fordham was impressed with how the Wolfpack’s backups played.
“Those guys stepped up,” Fordham said. “I knew those guys were ready. They’re always locked in in practice. They’re guys that know when they’re number is called, we can count on them. It was huge to see that.”
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Behind the numbers: NC State’s secondary overcomes key injuries against Louisiana Tech
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