The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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MAY/JUNE 2024 ■ 27 play in the frontcourt. Not only did he steal hearts throughout Raleigh, but he did the same to viewers around the coun- try with his unique style of play and his infectious enthusiasm. A Unique Skill Set Burns speculated that his stature (6- foot-9, 275 pounds) might have been why he became a national sensation, but it could also have been the way he played. The post player has a unique ability to find his spots on the floor, usually finish- ing each possession with either a layup or his trademark fadeaway jumper. It isn't seen much around college basketball, and Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts can attest to that. "I don't think I've ever coached a guy like that in my life," Keatts said of Burns. "Lefty, great touch, tremendous person- ality. Doesn't really catch the ball in the post, but he ends up around the basket. I don't know that there's ever been a guy like that before. … He's about as unique as you're ever going to get." During NC State's run to the Final Four, Burns was a key part of the offense. The Rock Hill, S.C., native scored in dou- ble figures in all five ACC Tournament games, including a 20-point effort in the win over top-seeded North Carolina for the title March 16 in Washington, D.C. But Burns did not leave his offense be- hind in the nation's capital. He continued to shine in the NCAA Tournament, scor- ing in double figures in three of the team's first four games, including a 24-point, 11-rebound performance against Oakland in the second round. Although he was limited to just 4 points on 2-for-4 shooting in the Sweet 16 win over Marquette, Burns flashed the other part of his game: his passing. He paced the team with 7 assists in that win to get the Pack to the Elite Eight. And even against Duke in the tourna- ment quarterfinals, Burns rose to the oc- casion. The big man had a season-best 29 points on 13-for-19 shooting to help knock off the Blue Devils. A Player To Remember Burns, who ended up in Raleigh after stops at Tennessee and Winthrop, knew he had to do something to fix the image of Wolfpack men's basketball. NC State had lost a school-record 21 games the year before, and he viewed it as his task to fix it. "When I got here, I just saw how [the fans] used to treat us. They used to treat us like we were losers," Burns said. "I was like, 'Nah, that's not what's happen- ing around here.' We had to change that around fast." Well aware of NC State's success in the 1970s and '80s, Burns hoped that the Pack's run to this year's Final Four would recapture that feeling in PNC Arena moving forward. "I hope they bring the basketball cul- ture back," Burns said. "I hope we gave them something to be happy about, even though we didn't pull it off. … I hope they come back with a winning mentality ev- ery time they step on the court." But how does Burns, who was like a big teddy bear for much of the Wolfpack's sprint through the tournament, want to be remembered? Is it for his scoring binge against Duke in the Elite Eight? How about for his patented post moves to get to the rim? As it happens, he doesn't want the focus to be on a single game, or on his style of play. Instead, he wants people to remem- ber the attitude he brought to the court. "Just remember me as someone who wanted to win," Burns said, "someone that wasn't easy to rattle and someone that was going to give literally everything I've got to be successful." The Wolfpack was written off before Burns arrived on campus. He was sur- rounded by six transfers who played cru- cial roles this season, and their efforts culminated in NC State's first Final Four appearance in more than four decades. NC State did not quit, and neither did Burns. That perseverance will as- sure this team a lasting place in the pro- gram's history. "I'll remember it as an amazing thing," Burns said with a tear in his eye. "It was the best year of my life, basketball-wise." Burns' mantra that drives him each day seemingly helped change the viewpoint of NC State basketball. "I always say, the best thing you can do is make life around you better," Burns said. "And then your life will be good if you make it better for everyone else. That's how I try to live it." ■ " Anywhere that I go, I'm going to try my best to affect winning. That's usually the outcome — we win games. " Burns Already a popular figure in Raleigh, Burns captured the imagination of basketball fans around the country with his engaging personality and impressive performances throughout the NCAA Tournament. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS