The NC State Wolfpack just won't stop barking.
This year's greatest Cinderella story has scripted quite the tale to this point, managing to sneak into a tournament some felt they had no business being in and threatening to win the whole thing. It's a storyline that would only seem possible in the movies, or "Ted Lasso."
While the journey has been a remarkable one to this point, the Wolfpack would be nowhere without their top dog, DJ Burns Jr., who is quite the underdog himself.
The big man doesn't look like a basketball player, but he's a pretty good one, regardless. Despite not having the prototypical vertical size for a successful center, Burns has dominated the tournament, and his vintage style of play continues to capture the hearts of viewers with every hook shot.
MORE: DJ Burns Jr. NBA Mock Draft scouting report
At a time when basketball is typically three pointers and layups, Burns has made his living in the post and revitalized the midrange shot. He's a noticeable player on the court, but how he looks standing next to Purdue center Zach Edey and others will surely be a stunning image.
Burns is showing that basketball players can come in all shapes and sizes. The Sporting News looks at how tall Burns is and how that compares to some of the players that he could end up facing at the next level.
How tall is DJ Burns?
Burns checks in at 6-foot-9, according to NC State. The big man isn't as big as you'd think vertically, but his 275 pound frame more than makes up for that.
His crafty ability to use that size is what has made Burns so valuable during the Wolfpack's Cinderella run. Despite giving up a couple inches in height to future NBA first round pick Kyle Filipowski, Burns was able to dominate the Elite Eight matchup on both sides of the floor.
While many have drawn comparisons to Burns' seemingly perfect NFL body type, the big man is focused on basketball — a place where his height will always have him at a disadvantage.
DJ Burns height vs. other big men
Burns might find himself as the tallest person in the store or any other public place, but he won't have that luxury on many basketball teams.
Even on NC State, he is just the third tallest player behind Mohamed Diarra (6-10) and Ben Middlebrooks (6-10). If Burns were able to make the transition to the NBA, that'll be a similar trend with the many seven footers patrolling the hardwood.
For comparison's sake, the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama checks in at 7-4, NBA Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal is 7-1. Burns would only be level with LeBron James, who also stands at 6-9.
That doesn't mean Burns can't find success at the next level, however. A popular player comparison for the Wolfpack center is former NBA big man Zach Randolph, who put together a nice career as a 6-9 bruiser. Since history often repeats itself, perhaps Burns will land on the Randolph spectrum at the next level.
MORE: DJ Burns Jr. NBA comparison
DJ Burns Jr. stats
| Season | School | Games | PTS | REB | AST | FG |
| 2019-20 | Winthrop | 33 | 11.9 | 4.1 | 1.2 | 58.3% |
| 2020-21 | Winthrop | 25 | 10.1 | 3.4 | 0.6 | 58.2% |
| 2021-22 | Winthrop | 32 | 15.0 | 4.5 | 1.1 | 62.6% |
| 2022-23 | NC State | 34 | 12.5 | 4.8 | 1.5 | 56.1% |
| 2023-24 | NC State | 38 | 12.8 | 4.1 | 2.7 | 52.7% |
