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D. J. Burns

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D. J. Burns
Burns with Winthrop in 2020.
No. 30 – Goyang Sono Skygunners
PositionPower forward / center
LeagueKorean Basketball League
Personal information
Born (2000-10-13) October 13, 2000 (age 24)
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight275 lb (125 kg)
Career information
High schoolYork Prep Academy
(Rock Hill, South Carolina)
College
NBA draft2024: undrafted
Playing career2024–present
Career history
2024–presentGoyang Sono Skygunners
Career highlights and awards

Dwight Keith Burns Jr. (born October 13, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Goyang Sono Skygunners of the Korean Basketball League (KBL). He previously played for the NC State Wolfpack of the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Winthrop Eagles of the Big South Conference.

Early life

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Burns grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina and attended Clover Intermediate School, standing 6'7" in eighth grade. He enrolled at York Preparatory Academy.[1] As a freshman, Burns averaged 13 points and 11 rebounds per game.[2] He averaged 14.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3.1 blocks per game as a sophomore. As a junior, Burns averaged 14.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, earning MVP honors of the C. Dan Joyner Poinsettia Classic and the USA National Prep Championship. He reclassified from the Class of 2019 to the Class of 2018.[3] In three seasons, Burns recorded over 1,000 career points and over 1,000 rebounds. A top 100 recruit, Burns committed to playing college basketball for Tennessee in June 2018, choosing the Volunteers over offers from South Carolina and Virginia.[4]

College career

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Burns redshirted his freshman season at Tennessee and lost weight. Following the season, he transferred to Winthrop and received a waiver for immediate eligibility. Burns was named Big South Freshman of the Year.[1] He averaged 11.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.[5] As a sophomore, Burns averaged 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, earning Honorable Mention All-Big South honors.[6] He declared for the 2021 NBA draft, but ultimately returned to Winthrop.[7] In his junior season debut, he scored a career-high 30 points in a 110–78 win against Mary Baldwin University.[8] As a junior, Burns was named Big South Player of the Year.[9]

In May 2022, Burns announced he would play for NC State in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the 2022–23 season.[10] At the conclusion of that season, Burns was named All-ACC Honorable mention.[11] On March 16, 2024, Burns was named ACC Tournament MVP after leading NC State to its first ACC crown since 1987.[12] Burns had 20 points, 7 assists, and hit the only three-pointer of his college career in the Championship game against rival North Carolina.[13] On March 31, 2024, Burns was named MOP of the NCAA Tournament's South Region after leading NC State to its first Final Four since 1983.[14] Burns scored 29 points in the Elite Eight game against rival Duke.[15]

Professional career

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After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft, Burns signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers to play for them during the 2024 NBA Summer League.[16]

On September 14, 2024, Burns signed with the Goyang Sono Skygunners of the Korean Basketball League (KBL).[17]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Tennessee Redshirt Redshirt
2019–20 Winthrop 33 16 17.5 .583 .000 .571 4.1 1.2 .5 .7 11.9
2020–21 Winthrop 25 24 15.7 .582 .000 .610 3.4 .6 .6 .5 10.1
2021–22 Winthrop 32 27 20.9 .626 .000 .646 4.5 1.1 .5 .4 15.0
2022–23 NC State 34 22 22.9 .561 .000 .615 4.8 1.5 .7 .9 12.9
2023–24 NC State 41 40 24.8 .531 .200 .680 4.0 2.9 .4 .6 12.5
Career 165 129 20.8 .573 .009 .629 4.2 1.6 .5 .6 12.6

Personal life

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Burns's father, Dwight Sr., is the agent in charge of York County for South Carolina Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. His mother, Takela, is an assistant principal at Mount Gallant Elementary School.[1] Burns has a younger sister, Nadia. He is a multi-instrumentalist, playing the stand-up bass, tuba, piano, handbells and saxophone.[2] Burns is a devout Christian.[18]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Zietlow, Alex (March 5, 2020). "How DJ Burns, Rock Hill's own and Winthrop's key to making 2020 NCAA's, came home". The Herald. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  2. ^ a b McCormick, Bret (May 30, 2016). "York Prep's gentle giant uncovering his nastier self". The Herald. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  3. ^ "Forward D.J. Burns Signs with Tennessee". Tennessee Volunteers. June 6, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  4. ^ McCormick, Bret (June 2, 2018). "York Prep's D.J. Burns makes his college basketball decision". The Herald. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  5. ^ "PREVIEW: @DuqMBB at Wade Houston Tipoff Classic". Duquesne Dukes. November 28, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  6. ^ Shealy, Matthew (October 27, 2021). "Winthrop picked to finish on top in men's basketball conference preseason poll". The Johnsonian. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  7. ^ Shaw, Jamie (November 9, 2021). "Shaw's Sleepers: Winthrop's DJ Burns has the makings of a dominant big man". Heat Check CBB. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  8. ^ "Prosser Era Begins With 110–78 Win, Burns Jr. Posts Career-High 30 Points". Winthrop Eagles. November 9, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  9. ^ "Big South Announces 2021–22 Men's Basketball Annual Award Winners" (Press release). Big South Conference. March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  10. ^ "Winthrop transfer DJ Burns commits to NC State" (Press release). PackPride. May 11, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  11. ^ "Miami's Wong leads ACC Basketball 2022-23 Season Honors". Atlantic Coast Conference. March 6, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  12. ^ Bradham, Matthew (March 17, 2024). "DJ Burns Wins ACC Tournament MVP Honors". Pack Insider. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  13. ^ "NC State wins ACC tournament with upset of UNC". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 16, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  14. ^ Bradham, Matthew (March 31, 2024). "NC State's DJ Burns Was Named the Most Outstanding Player in the South Region". Pack Insider. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  15. ^ "NC State and it's two DJ's head to 1st Final Four since 1983 after 76-64 win over Duke". Spectrum News. March 31, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  16. ^ Fedor, Chris (June 28, 2024). "Cavs agree to summer league deal with March Madness star". Cleveland.com. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  17. ^ "프로농구 소노, 미국 대학 무대서 활약한 D.J. 번스 영입". 연합뉴스. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  18. ^ Mercer, Kevin. "D.J. Burns thanks God as N.C. State makes improbable Final Four run in NCAA Tournament". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
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