GoVols247 is reporting that Tennessee hoops has landed the commitment of Class of 2018 4-star center D.J. Burns. The Rock Hill, South Carolina player chose the Vols this afternoon over South Carolina.
According to 247Sports, Burns is the No. 103 overall prospect in the Class of 2018 and the 12th-best center in the nation. That makes him the highest-rated signee under Rick Barnes at Tennessee. He’ll take one of the Vols’ two remaining scholarships.
Burns was originally a 2019 prospect but recently reclassified to the 2018 class. He’ll be joining a team that returns nearly everyone from a 2017-18 season that surprised many and ended with an SEC Championship and an NCAA Tournament bid.
Some of the credit for this commitment apparently goes to team chaplain and VFL Chris Walker:
DJ Burns’ mother tells me that @cwalk8432 and his work with the Tennessee basketball team through FCA was a big part of the family’s decision to pick the Vols.
— Rob Lewis (@Volquest_Rob) June 2, 2018
Nice to see UT picking up a top 100 or so player, although his highlight tape isn’t as impressive as others you will see with that rating. He has limited vertical lift. Left hander with nice mid-range shot (8-15 feeet) and good passing skills. Looks like he will be a back up post to add some depth, if I had to guess. Highlight reels don’t show defense or rebounding but he has some bulk to him. Alexander can use some help down low. At 6’9″/248, he’s got some weight that that other taller players on UT’s bench don’t have. He’s… Read more »
Yeah, glad to have this guy.