Skip to main content
Tuesday, November 10, 2026Nov 10

D.J. Burns at 17 already getting used to life as a Vol

Tennessee freshman power forward D.J. Burns talks to reporters on Thursday, June 14, 2018, inside the team's practice facility.
Tennessee freshman power forward D.J. Burns talks to reporters on Thursday, June 14, 2018, inside the team's practice facility. Tennessee freshman power forward D.J. Burns talks to reporters on Thursday, June 14, 2018, inside the team's practice facility.

KNOXVILLE – Admiral Schofield gave no hesitation, even as the wide-eyed new teammate he was discussing walked to within earshot of the conversation.

Is Schofield beating up on D.J. Burns like he beat up on Grant Williams when Williams was a freshman?

“Of course,” Schofield said before the question was finished. “He’s a freshman, too, so you’ve got to get him acclimated.”

Burns is not just any freshman. He’s a 17-year-old who completed high school at York Preparatory Academy in Rock Hill, South Carolina, a year ahead of schedule.

Burns already has been put to work helping with Tennessee’s youth camps this week, his second on campus. He’s also been doing plenty of learning.