NC State Basketball Treasure DJ Burns Reportedly Heading Overseas

The two-year NC State forward will likely earn 10 times more in Korea than he would in the G League.
NC State basketball forward DJ Burns
NC State basketball forward DJ Burns / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

NC State basketball alum DJ Burns could earn roughly $40k this season in the NBA G League. And then there's the option to rake in about 10 times that salary by playing overseas.

ALSO READ: Major NC State Recruits Talks Decision Timeline

It appears Burns chose the latter, as the Korean Basketball League's Goyang Sono Skygunners officially announced the signing of the 23-year-old Burns this weekend.

However, Burns' addition to the roster doesn't rule out the possibility of the 6-foot-9, 260-pound forward from Rock Hill, S.C., snagging an NBA opportunity at some point down the line. Should he become a dominant force for the Skygunners, who play their home games in the 6,216-seat Goyang Gymnasium, he may well land on the radar of teams in the league.

DJ Burns went undrafted in June. However, he signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers for Summer League action in July and delivered a few promising performances.

As a beloved two-year NC State basketball weapon, who transferred into the program after starring at Winthrop for three seasons and becoming the 2021-22 Big South Player of the Year, Burns averaged 12.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 54.4 percent from the field.

RELATED: Alarmingly Low Number of NC State Alums in NBA

He took home 2024 ACC Tournament MVP honors and helped power the underdog Wolfpack to the program's first Final Four appearance in 41 years. That unforgettable journey included Burns' 29-point outing in NC State's Elite Eight win over ACC powerhouse Duke.

Stay tuned to NC State Wolfpack On SI for more NC State basketball news.


Published
Matt Giles

MATT GILES

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.