Former NC State Basketball Star Meets Future Wolfpack GA
Many NC State basketball enthusiasts and fans of college basketball in general will remember the storybook run of Kevin Keatts and his 2023-24 Wolfpack in March Madness. There was no star bigger on that team than DJ Burns, as the 6-foot-9 forward dazzled the nation with his post moves and swagger under the sport’s brightest lights.
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That run helped propel Burns to national relevance, undoubtedly one of the most recognizable faces from last year's March Madness.
Fast forward a year, and the 24-year-old is now playing his professional basketball in South Korea. But that didn’t stop him from hopping on a video call with one of this year’s biggest NCAA Tournament stars, albeit not a player or a coach.
Over the weekend, Burns hopped on to a facetime call with Amir Khan, the notorious student manager of the McNeese State Cowboys, one of this year’s Cinderella squads coached by new Wolfpack leader Will Wade.
Amir Khan x DJ Burns
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) March 22, 2025
Just some legends of March chopping it up pic.twitter.com/aXpxCvfziN
The video includes Burns joking around with Khan about “Aura,” which was a nickname given to the student manager following a set of viral videos that included him leading the Cowboys out of the tunnel with a boombox around his neck.
Khan actually credits Burns and the 2023-24 Wolfpack as part of the inspiration, citing videos of their team walking out of the tunnel as they reeled off one upset after another. During their conversation, the two also joke about Burns’ apparent inability, for now, to speak Korean.
Fans of NC State basketball may have been excited to see Burns in the limelight once again, but it appears the video may have actually featured two Wolfpack stars, with reports that Khan is set to follow Will Wade to Raleigh as a graduate assistant.
Newly-minted head coach Will Wade will look to bring more than just Khan to Raleigh this offseason, as he aims to bring the NC State program back to the NCAA Tournament and more next season.
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.