DJ Burns Looks Unrecognizable After Dramatic Weight Loss

Former NC State star DJ Burns is busy preparing for the NBA Draft after helping lead the Wolfpack to the Final Four. Recent images surfaced of the big man and he's nearly unrecognizable.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Burns shed 45 pounds in the last six-and-a-half weeks. He's listed at 275 LBs on ESPN, so this represents a dramatic change in physique.

If Burns can keep his power and punishing post play while being in better shape, he could be a legitimate threat at the NBA level.

DJ Burns Sheds 45 Pounds Before NBA Draft

I guess those NFL rumors weren't true, after all.

Aside from the humorous insistence that Burns did not take Ozempic, the transformation is astounding. Burns averaged 12.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game on 53.1% shooting. He turned things up a notch in the postseason, averaging 16.2 points per game while shooting a blistering 62.5% from the field.

Most draft projections have Burns going undrafted, though he could sneak into the second round if he's impressive in pre-draft workouts. His size was a concern for teams but is clearly committed to addressing the issue.

There's no doubt about Burns' ability on the court. However, at 6'9" without much presence on the glass, it'll be a challenge to find a fit for him in the NBA. A creative coach can maximize Burns' potential though, so his long-term outlook largely depends on the landing spot.

One thing's for sure: if Burns is attacking the pre-draft process with the same vigor he attacked his weight loss, he'll be in great shape.

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