NC State has taken America by storm with its run to the ACC Tournament Championship and now Final 4, and star center DJ Burns has become a national favorite as a result.
From an appearance on Pardon My Take, to NIL deals with Raising Canes, to his dad flexing in celebration every time he gets a bucket, Burns is officially America's favorite hooper.
Even the best player in the world, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, was late to a press conference so he could see Burns' cerebral post game for himself, calling him "amazing."
But how did the former Tennessee Volunteer and Winthrop Eagle turned Wolfpack legend get to this point?
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NCAA Tournament Player Profile: DJ Burns Jr.
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 275 lbs.
Birthplace: Rock Hill, South Carolina
Season Stats: 12.8 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, 52.7% field goal shooting
Fans in Raleigh have known for a long time what everyone else around the country is now figuring out. Last season, Wolfpack fans began the tradition of cheering when DJ Burns got the ball in the low post in isolation and began to back down his opponent.
State's home victory over UNC last year featured a lot of this as he took on Armando Bacot, and last NC State fans were joined by neutral fans and tournament-goers as he dominated against Texas Tech and Oakland.
It's hard to blame the cheering fans. There's something very captivating about the dichotomy between DJ Burns' huge frame and the light feet he uses to beat opponents with his low-post moves.
Whether it's bullying his way to the rim, or faking his way to a less-contested fadeaway or hook shot, DJ Burns has an unparalleled touch around the basket, and there's nothing anyone can do down low to stop him, short of fouling him.
When he gets double-teamed, he has Jokic-like vision and an ability to quickly fire a pass to the open teammate for a good look from the perimeter.
On Saturday against Duke in the Elite 8, he showed his midrange ability on a couple of occasions as the Blue Devils opted to wait until he got in closer to guard him.
In the ACC championship game against UNC, DJ Burns came through with a much-needed bucket for the Wolfpack, knocking down an incredibly rare three-pointer at a key moment to keep the team's momentum rolling as they cruised to the upset, earning their automatic qualifying spot in the NCAA Tournament that has made this whole run possible.
Now in the Final Four, DJ Burns has the matchup of a lifetime against seven-foot-four Purdue center Zach Edey, the likely two-time national player of the year and himself an unstoppable force in the paint.
If the Wolfpack are going to have any chance at all to pull off another upset, they're going to need Burns to stay out of foul trouble, which could be a challenge against Edey's physicality and the favorable whistle he has a tendency to draw.
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