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What D.J. Burns gained from redshirt season with Tennessee basketball Mike Wilson , Knoxville News Sentinel Published 5:00 a.m. CT May 9, 2019 CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN COMMENT EMAIL MORE D.J. Burns made a pair of decisions at the start of June.

He opted to bypass his senior season and commit to Tennessee basketball. But it was really about the decision before the decisions for Burns.

“I decided to redshirt before I even committed,” Burns said during the NCAA Tournament. “That was one thing. I wanted to make sure I was in a position to help these guys when I play. I felt like I couldn’t have kept up at that time because my conditioning wasn’t in a good place.

“I just came in to help however I can.”

Burns opted to sit out the 2018-19 season two weeks before he committed to Tennessee on June 1. He could have played at home in Rock Hill, S.C., as a senior. Instead, he arrived in Knoxville in early June after making a quick but deliberate decision after talking to family and mentors.

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Tennessee guard Lamonte Turner (1) defends Colgate guard Jordan Burns (1) during their first round game of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, March 22, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen No. 2 UT plays No. 3 Purdue on Thursday, March 28; Here, Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) celebrates the overtime win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, March 24, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Brad Woodson (12) and Tennessee forward Derrick Walker (15) celebrate a three-pointer by Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) during the Tennessee VolunteersÕ basketball game against the Colgate Raiders in the first round of the NCAA Tournament held at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, March 22, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) reaches for the ball past Florida center Kevarrius Hayes (13) during a game between Tennessee and Florida at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, February 9, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward John Fulkerson (10) dunks over Tennessee Tech forward Garrett Golday (24) during a game between Tennessee and Tennessee Tech at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, December 29, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Colin Castleberry is known as the Thompson-Boling Arena Taco and can be seen on the court side seats during Tennessee basketball games. Saul Young/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee’s Jordan Bone (0) is fouled while attempting to score against Georgia Tech on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. Saul Young/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes speaks at a press conference before Tennessee takes the court for practice on Thursday, March 21, 2019, before their first round NCAA Tournament game against Colgate at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) blocks a shot by Colgate guard Jordan Burns (1) during their first round game in the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, March 22, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward John Fulkerson (10) celebrates on the bench as Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander (11) watches in amusement during Tennessee's basketball game against Lenoir-Rhyne at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee's Grant Williams (2) defends Arkansas' Mason Jones (13)during a NCAA men's basketball game between Tennessee and Arkansas at Thompson-Boling Arena Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Tennessee defeated Arkansas 106-87. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee's Jordan Bone (0) reacts after a foul was called against him in the game against Missouri on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Saul Young/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee’s John Fulkerson (10) fights for the rebound during the game against Georgia Tech on Wednesday, November 14, 2018. Saul Young/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) gestures to the Tennessee fans to get louder during the Tennessee VolunteersÕ basketball Sweet 16 game against the Purdue Boilermakers in the NCAA Tournament held at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky., on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Micah Bennett of Knoxville sports a Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes-signed cap before the Tennessee Volunteers’ basketball Sweet 16 game against the Purdue Boilermakers in the NCAA Tournament held at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky., on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) yells from the bench at a referee during the second half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, March 24, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes yells to the court during a NCAA men's basketball game between Tennessee and Arkansas at Thompson-Boling Arena Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) shoots while being fouled by Iowa guard Jordan Bohannon (3) during the first half of the second-round game of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, March 24, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee’s Lamonte Turner (1) scores on transition during the game against Missouri on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Saul Young/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander (11) laughs as he speaks at a press conference on Saturday, March 23, 2019, before the Tennessee Volunteers and Iowa Hawkeyes compete against one another in the second round of the NCAA Tournament held at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, March 24, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen UT cheerleaders come out to the court before the Tennessee VolunteersÕ basketball game against the Colgate Raiders in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, March 22, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) enters the court during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Lamonte Turner (1) moves the ball defended by Purdue forward Grady Eifert (24) during the Sweet 16 game in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 28, 2019, at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) and Iowa guard Joe Wieskamp (10) battle for a rebound during UT's overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, March 24, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee basketball fans and students Matt Sizemore, left, and Student Section president Shea Payne use the Hoops Hype app as the team is introduced for the game against South Carolina on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. Saul Young/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) dunks during a SEC/Big 12 Challenge game between Tennessee and West Virginia at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes yells from the sidelines during a game between Tennessee and Louisiana in Thompson-Boling Arena Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) drives towards the basket while defended by Auburn forward Chuma Okeke (5) during the first half of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament championship game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 17, 2019. Brianna Paciorka / KNS Fullscreen A player takes a foul shot during the first half of a NCAA men's basketball game between Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky University at Thompson-Boling Arena Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) shoots a layup during a game between Tennessee and Florida at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, February 9, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) cries as he is recognized during Senior Night before Tennessee's home finale against Mississippi State at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen From left, Tennessee guard Lamonte Turner (1), Tennessee guard Lucas Campbell (24), Tennessee guard Brad Woodson (12), Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) and Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander (11) after Tennessee's home finale against Mississippi State at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) and Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) defend Mississippi State Aric Holman (35) during Tennessee's home finale against Mississippi State at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee's Admiral Schofield (5) puts his glasses on during a game between Tennessee and Louisiana in Thompson Boling Arena Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. Tennessee defeated Louisiana 87-65. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander (11) sits dejectedly in the locker room following the team's overtime Sweet 16 loss to Purdue in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 28, 2019, at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee's Lamonte Turner (1) takes a shot while defended by EKU's Nick Mayo (10) and EKU's Tre Kind (12) during the second half of a NCAA men's basketball game between Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky University at Thompson-Boling Arena Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. Tennessee defeated EKU 95-67. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee's Admiral Schofield (5) celebrates a dunk during the first half of a NCAA men's basketball game between Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky University at Thompson-Boling Arena Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel Fullscreen Samford center Ruben Guerrero (32) goes for a point as Tennessee guard Jalen Johnson (13) defends during a game between Tennessee and Samford at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel, Knoxville News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) attempts a shot during the second half of the Tennessee Volunteers' home basketball game against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders at Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday, December 2, 2018. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen A young Tennessee fan cheers during a college basketball game between Tennessee and Georgia at Thompson-Boling Arena Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Jordan Bone (0) shoots over Kentucky forward PJ Washington (25) during the second half of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament semifinal game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 16, 2019. Matt Stone / Courier Journal Fullscreen Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) reacts during the first half of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament semifinal game against Kentucky at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 16, 2019. Matt Stone / Courier Journal Fullscreen Kentucky guard Ashton Hagans (2) shoots into Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) during the first half of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament semifinal game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 16, 2019. Matt Stone / Courier Journal Fullscreen Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander (11) hangs off the rim after dunking the ball during the second half of the Tennessee Volunteers' home basketball game against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders at Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday, December 2, 2018. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) goes for a dunk during the second half of the Tennessee Volunteers' home basketball game against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders at Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday, December 2, 2018. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee Head Coach Rick Barnes walks off the court after winning 83-70 during a game between Tennessee and Samford at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel, Knoxville News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee's Admiral Schofield (5) fights for possession of the ball during a college basketball game between Tennessee and Georgia at Thompson-Boling Arena Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee's Kyle Alexander (11) and Tennessee's Grant Williams (2) fight for possession of the ball during a NCAA men's basketball game between Tennessee and Arkansas at Thompson-Boling Arena Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Tennessee defeated Arkansas 106-87. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) defends against Samford guard Myron Gordon (4) during a game between Tennessee and Samford at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel, Knoxville News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) grabs the ball from Wake Forest forward Ikenna Smart (35) during a game between Tennessee and Wake Forest at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, December 22, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander (11) shoots the ball past Wake Forest center Olivier Sara (30) during a game between Tennessee and Wake Forest at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, December 22, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) shoots during a game between Tennessee and Wake Forest at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, December 22, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) dribbles the ball as Tennessee Tech guard Jr. Clay (4) defends during a game between Tennessee and Tennessee Tech at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, December 29, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Fans reach for a parachuting plush bear during Tennessee's home SEC game against South Carolina at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee Head Coach Rick Barnes yells at Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) after a play during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee's Grant Williams (2) tries to push toward the basket during a game between Tennessee and Tennessee Tech at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, December 29, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes yells towards the court during a college basketball game between Tennessee and Georgia at Thompson-Boling Arena Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. Tennessee defeated Georgia 96-50. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Jordan Bone (0) reacts to a dunk by guard Admiral Schofield (5) during the second half of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament game against Mississippi State at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 15, 2019. Brianna Paciorka / KNS Fullscreen Mississippi State guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (11) shoots while defended by Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) during the first half of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 15, 2019. Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com Fullscreen Tennessee guard Jordan Bone (0) drives towards the basket while defended by Auburn forward Chuma Okeke (5) during the second half of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament championship game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 17, 2019. Brianna Paciorka / KNS Fullscreen Tennessee guard Jordan Bone (0) grabs the rebound from West Virginia forward Wesley Harris (21) during a SEC/Big 12 Challenge game between Tennessee and West Virginia at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) celebrates his three-point shot during a SEC/Big 12 Challenge game between Tennessee and West Virginia at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee guard Lamonte Turner (1) drives past South Carolina guard A.J. Lawson (0) during Tennessee's home SEC game against South Carolina at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander (11) grabs the rebound from Tusculum center Cam King (0) during a game between Tennessee and Tusculum at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Derrick Walker (15) denies Tusculum forward Caleb Hodnett (14) the dunk during a game between Tennessee and Tusculum at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee's Lamonte Turner (1) dribbles the ball during a NCAA men's basketball game between Tennessee and Arkansas at Thompson-Boling Arena Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Tennessee defeated Arkansas 106-87. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel Fullscreen Vanderbilt forward Matthew Moyer (13) shoots as Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield (5) defends during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee forward Grant Williams (2) is fouled by Lenoir-Rhyne guard R.J. Gunn (21) during Tennessee's basketball game against Lenoir-Rhyne at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel Fullscreen Tennessee's Jordan Bowden (23) on a 3-point attempts before Missouri basketball coach Cuonzo Martin on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Saul Young/News Sentinel Fullscreen Interested in this topic? 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His grades were in line. He crammed a few classes into the two weeks. He felt he got the confirmation it was the right decision when his high school coach – the only high school coach he played for – was fired.

“We decided it would be a great move to get me going and to develop my body into where I can compete with these guys,” Burns said.

He spent the next 11 months working behind the scenes. Burns was on the scout team, the key big man in the group led by senior guards Lucas Campbell and Brad Woodson. He latched onto Grant Williams as a workout leader of sorts, tagging along to the gym when he realized how often Williams did extra work.

Burns said he sees the “big picture” of working on his conditioning intensely in the growth of Williams and Admiral Schofield , both of whom coach Rick Barnes has said were “fat boys” when they got to Knoxville.

The 6-foot-9 Burns admits he had more work to do than either of them, but he embraced it. He did extra conditioning after each practice, following a plan outlined by strength and conditioning coach Garrett Medenwald.

CLOSE Tennessee freshman forward D.J. Burns talks adjusting to college workouts Mike Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

He spent most of his time on the treadmill, including some workouts that had him sprinting for 30 minutes.

“I want to be there,” Burns said. “Until I get this weight off, I will run all day if I have to.”

Burns estimated he dropped 30 pounds from his arrival at UT until late March. He lost fat and added muscle, seeing the results.

“I am jumping so much higher,” Burns said. “That was one thing I wanted to focus on was like I have all the skills, but I couldn’t really jump much or have that second jump to be able to grab a rebound or go up and catch the ball whenever. Those are things I can do now that I could not do in the beginning. I wanted to become more athletic and better.”

Tennessee forward D.J. Burns (32) takes the court before a game against Kentucky on March 2 at Thompson-Boling Arena. (Photo: Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel)

Burns thinks he accomplished those things. Now, he is facing a role for the Vols next season. Tennessee senior center Kyle Alexander has graduated. Williams is in the NBA Draft and could decide to end his Tennessee career if he gets the right feedback from pro teams. Derrick Walker entered the NCAA transfer portal and is looking for a new school.

Burns is one of three returning forwards, joining John Fulkerson and Zach Kent. UT also signed a pair of forwards – Davonte Gaines and Drew Pember – and landed a commitment from Olivier Robinson-Nkamhoua on Tuesday.

“Honestly, I don’t have a role I want to come in and be,” Burns said. “I want to do whatever I can to help the team, whether it be rebounding or scoring or whatever it takes to win.”

He’s better equipped to do that now after a year of growth, watching and learning from a group of veteran teams. It wasn’t always easy, Burns said, as deep down he wanted to be on the court with his teammates instead of redshirting.

NEWSLETTERS Get the Sports newsletter delivered to your inbox We're sorry, but something went wrong Top and trending sports headlines you need to know for your busy day. Please try again soon, or contact Customer Service at 1-800-342-8237. Delivery: Daily Invalid email address Thank you! You're almost signed up for Sports Keep an eye out for an email to confirm your newsletter registration. More newsletters “Looking back on it now, I should not have been as worried about it,” Burns said. “Seeing the big picture, I am looking forward to big things.”

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