His career started on a field. Christian Burns was a striker and also a relatively modest guard in Trenton, New Jersey. Suddenly he grew up. He grew up a lot and turn himself into a power forward with the skills of a guard, forgot about soccer and became a basketball prospect. His career, from Quinnipiac to Philadelphia (college player of the year in Division Two), has been like he said a roller-coaster and took a lot of unexpected turns. Including being a Italian National Team member and finally a EuroLeague player at age 33. And if you want to make him nervous just mention the age. It’s just a number, he says. Christian Burns feels like he’s never been stronger and more equipped for the challenge. Bring on the criticism, if you like, because he can take anything.
THE BEGINNING – “It’s true. I was a footballer. I was a striker, I played up until my junior year in high school. Then I grew up by five inches… Actually, I was playing basketball also, but soccer was my main sport. When I grew I still had my guard skills so in high school it was a big advantage, basketball-wise. Then Colleges were coming to see me play, making offers and so I decided to stop playing soccer because I knew I was going to go to college to play basketball”.
WHEN I WAS A GUARD – “Yes, I can handle the ball pretty well for my size. This definitely was an advantage when I grew up”.
THE COLLEGE YEARS – “It was funny because I started in Division One but it was a weird situation, I was unhappy, it was a difficult situation so I left and went to Division II where I played for an unbelievable coach, Herb Magee was his name, and really grew up my skills set and I played really really well”.
THE NBA DREAM – “There were a lot of things that happened to me in my career, my career was a roller-coaster. I mean when I finally made or I was going to make the NBA, the lockout happened. Then, that season I was in Israel and hurt my knee, and was out for the rest of the season. After that I recovered and came to Italy and I was going to play for Montegranaro”.
MONTEGRANARO – “It was an interesting year, it was a very difficult season because of different problems with the club but actually we had a successful season, I played under Charlie Recalcati, he’s a great coach and I remember winning in Milano”.
LAST SEASON WAS THE BEST? – “I think so, I think right now I’m in a good point in my career where I can still do everything really well, physically I feel as the strongest ever. Last year was a greatest situation for me, I feel I learned a lot playing with the National Team in the summer for coach Ettore Messina. I learned a lot, how to be effective on the court without the ball, and I focused on rebounding big time, last year”.
THE NATIONAL TEAM – “It means everything to me, it completely changes everything. I wasn’t even expecting to make the National Team. Coach Messina called me and said I want you to come and train and try to kick asses and try to make the team. And that’s what I did. I went there, I trained, the preseason was like a two-month training camp. And then I made the final 12 and when I was in the final 12 it was a great day for me because it made me a true Italian for the Serie A”.
MILANO – “It’s a dream come true for sure. I also think the timing is right for me to be here, because I have the experience now, I think I’m completely matured, I can take any criticism, any critique is beneficial for me. I think I’m ready for this. They know what they are getting from me. There’s no question, I think. I bring the energy to help the team win”.
THE EUROLEAGUE AT 33 – “Everybody talks about my age, but I don’t know, my age is just a number, I think that I’m better than most 25-year old guys. The age is just nothing to me. I’m excited to start the EuroLeague this year. It’s going to be a great experience, I’m excited”.
BURNS, THE PLAYER – “I’m fearless, have energy, strength, a will to win, fight and best of all a great skill set I think I have to be able to play a couple of positions. I can bang with the big guys, I can guard the 4-man, sometimes I can guard the 3-man, but I can guard multiple positions and play multiple positions”.
EXPECTATIONS – “We had a meeting with the coach about some goals. The goals are great for us and for me is amazing having these goals. Try to win the three cups for the Serie A and try to go as far as we can in the EuroLeague. I think it’s where my mind is: help this team to win as many games as possible, stay together through the thick and thin”.
Take a look at the video interview.
