ROCK HILL, S.C. — Once in a while a college basketball player comes along and captures America's attention in March.
For the past week or so, that player has been D.J. Burns, who helped NC State to a remarkable run through the ACC Tournament, closing with a win over North Carolina in the championship game.
It certainly increased his popularity.
“It’s been kind of crazy," Burns said. "I didn’t really realize it until after that game how big it could possibly get. It’s truly been a blessing.”
The win punched NC State's ticket to the NCAA Tournament. The Wolfpack will face Texas Tech in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
At the ACC Tournament, Burns flashed the big smile and big personality that's gaining him fans across the country. And according to his family in his hometown of Rock Hill, he's got a big heart, too.
"When he comes out after a game he's dancing with kids," Dwight Burns Sr., D.J.'s father, said.
Even in the heat of competition, Burns is often sporting a smile.
“He just has joy," his mom, Takela Burns, said. "And I think that's what fans love about him.”
Burns' joyous nature on the court is so contagious, sometimes those fans come from unlikely places.
“I get hit up after the game by so many fans saying 'I'm a diehard Carolina fan, but we love your big guy," Takela said. "It’s because he has joy.”
The Burns are a tightknit family of four with a basketball constantly bouncing in the driveway when D.J. and younger sister Nadia, now a college player at Newberry, grew up.
"Sports was everything to him all his life," Dwight said. "I mean, at the dinner table, he's dunking on your head. D.J. was always a kid that was very energetic.”
His younger sister knows that all too well.
"The energy," she said. "As a sibling, it was more annoyance for me. But, yes, he loves basketball.”
It's been a long road from Rock Hill to Raleigh. Burns began his career at Tennessee before transferring to Winthrop, where he was an award-winning player and helped the Eagles reach the NCAA Tournament.
"He's never let anything get in his way," Nadia said. "So it just makes me proud to be able to be a part of that."
Burns also helped the Pack go dancing last year after transferring to NC State. But this year, America's finding out there's something special about the big kid from Rock Hill.
And for Takela Burns, it makes her proud that it's her kid.
“I'm most proud of his heart," she said. "He's always had a big heart."
Contact Nick Carboni at ncarboni@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.