North Carolina State big man DJ Burns is one of the most exciting players participating in March Madness.
Burns, who has helped lead his team on an exciting run during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, is playing extraordinarily well on the court. He is getting amazing nicknames and delighting NBA players like Nikola Jokic.
But he is also generating some buzz as an NFL prospect.
During a recent interview while on The Dan Patrick Show, the NCAA tournament darling said that it isn’t surprising people are talking about him playing football because his team is “trending” right now.
"I'd probably pursue some other options with basketball first before all of that but I'm not a closed minded person."
-DJ Burns Jr. on the possibility of playing in the #NFL if things don't work out with the #NBA pic.twitter.com/bywEG1pu8i
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) April 2, 2024
He added that his plan is to play in the NBA when he finishes his college career at North Carolina State. However, if a football team really wanted his services, he wouldn’t say no:
“I’d probably explore some other options with basketball first before all of that. But I’m not a closed-minded person.”
That is a great answer from Burns! He made it clear to basketball teams that he still wants to keep the main thing the main thing without fully shutting the door on football, either.
Patrick noted that Burns could obviously pursue opportunities to play professionally overseas as well if the NBA does not work out. He could try playing in the NBA’s G League, too.
Burns was also asked if he has heard from any football teams about pursuing a career in the NFL.
The big man said that he had not heard directly heard from anyone. Perhaps teams have reached out to people affiliated with him through North Carolina State or otherwise but it seems Burns is more focused on March Madness as of right now.
