DJ Burns Jr. runs a vending machine business when not leading N.C. State through the Tournament. Burns, 23, has become a cult hero after helping the No. 11 Wolfpack past No. 2 Marquette and to a first Final Four appearance in over 40 years. The scored 29 points in as many minutes against the Blue Devils after only averaging 13 points per game during his senior season. As a graduate student, he has a dual college degree in sociology and health but is already diversifying his income streams before a potential pro - - career. And that has helped him make a small profit on the side away from sports. "I just own a few (vending machines)," he said during an appearance on the " " podcast. "I have two myself." Burns then explained how he got into the business. "There's a guy who played at Auburn named Josh Dollard. He's from the Charlotte area, and we used to train with this trainer named Gabe Blair. Phenomenal guy. "And I was just talking to him about some things I went through, and we were just talking about what are ways to make money outside of
basketball so you’re not like one-dimensional as a person. And that (vending machines) was one of the things he showed me, and I took after it." After acknowledging that the venture does make money for him, Burns explained that he is not the only one within his circle in the business. "I've showed a few
Friends how to do it, as well, and they take it a little more serious than I do now." He then answered the all-important question about what he stocks his machines with. "I'm gonna be honest, I can't eat what's in my vending machine. But it sells well for sure." Burns is also cashing in on his success on the court, too. The player's agent of two years, Ken Caldwell, told that he has been signing NIL deals with Adidas, Barstool Sports, CVS Pharmacy, Daps, Manscaped, Raising Cane’s and Intuit TurboTax. During the three weeks, Burns is said to have earned between $100,000 and $500,000. “With DJ being such a natural, he just feels good behind the camera and making people happy and that smile,” Caldwell said. “So with DJ and all these deals coming in, it’s been actually a joy to do more so than most people would think it’d be hectic, but it’s not. It’s more of a joy.” Mike Naiditch, who also represents Burns alongside Caldwell, proclaimed: “There will be more deals, for sure. But the Final Four is not the same as the lead Elite Eight marketing-wise. The challenge is to be mindful that basketball comes first right now... So yes, you’ll see some deals, but also leaving some room for basketball.”