NC State basketball players discuss Final Four run, loss to Purdue
Following NC State basketball’ season-ending loss to Purdue in the Final Four, the Wolfpack players discussed their March Madness run.
A trio of N.C. State basketball players will get an opportunity to play for an NBA franchise this summer.
After helping N.C. State win an ACC Tournament championship and advance to the Final Four, DJ Burns, DJ Horne and Mohamed Diarra are the latest members of the Wolfpack hoping to get a shot to play in the league.
Their showing in the NBA Summer League, which begins July 6 in Sacramento, could produce a chance to land a roster spot ahead of the regular season in late October.
The California Classic Summer League begins July 6, followed by the Salt Lake City Summer League (July 8). Those leagues feature select teams, but the NBA 2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas, which begins July 12, will feature all 30 squads
The California Classic Summer League begins July 6, followed by the Salt Lake City Summer League (July 8). Those leagues feature select teams, but the NBA 2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas, which begins July 12, will feature all 30 squads.
Here’s a look at the latest N.C. State basketball players to join NBA teams and how to watch those former Wolfpack in the summer league.
In the months since the Wolfpack’s Final Four run, Burns has reportedly lost around 45 pounds. A fan favorite for his smooth post moves, passing and personality, Burns signed a summer league deal with the Cavaliers.
Burns will join California’s Jaylon Tyson, the 20th overall pick in the NBA Draft, at the 2K25 summer league in Vegas. It’ll be interesting to see how Burns’ weight loss influences his game against NBA counterparts.
The primary playmaker and scorer on the perimeter in his lone season with the Wolfpack, Horne landed a summer league deal with the Spurs. His 3-point shooting and individual defense are Horne’s best chances at securing a long-term stay with an NBA squad.
Horne will likely join San Antonio draft picks Stephon Castle (UConn) and Harrison Ingram (UNC) in Sacramento and San Francisco at the California Classic, which features the Spurs, Heat, Hornets, Kings, Lakers and Warriors.
A double-double machine in the postseason for N.C. State, Diarra signed a summer league deal with the Lakers. The 6-foot-10 forward logged five of his seven double-doubles last season in the NCAA Tournament.
Diarra will join draft picks Dalton Knecht (Tennessee) and Bronny James (USC) at the California Classic before the Lakers head to Vegas for summer league tournament. Diarra’s 6-foot-10 frame and mobility could help him snag a spot in the league.
All times Eastern
Here’s a look at the summer league schedule for the Cavaliers, Lakers and Spurs.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
