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\u2019s just a number, he says. Christian Burns feels like he\u2019s never been stronger and more equipped for the challenge. Bring on the criticism, if you like, because he can take anything.<\/p>\n
THE BEGINNING \u2013<\/strong> \u201cIt\u2019s 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\u2026 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\u201d.<\/p>\n WHEN I WAS A GUARD \u2013<\/strong> \u201cYes, I can handle the ball pretty well for my size. This definitely was an advantage when I grew up\u201d.<\/p>\n THE COLLEGE YEARS \u2013<\/strong> \u201cIt 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\u201d.<\/p>\n THE NBA DREAM \u2013<\/strong> \u201cThere 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\u201d.<\/p>\n MONTEGRANARO \u2013<\/strong> \u201cIt 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\u2019s a great coach and I remember winning in Milano\u201d.<\/p>\n LAST SEASON WAS THE BEST? \u2013<\/strong> \u201cI think so, I think right now I\u2019m 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\u201d.<\/p>\n THE NATIONAL TEAM \u2013<\/strong> \u201cIt means everything to me, it completely changes everything. I wasn\u2019t 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\u2019s 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\u201d.<\/p>\n MILANO \u2013<\/strong> \u201cIt\u2019s 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\u2019m completely matured, I can take any criticism, any critique is beneficial for me. I think I\u2019m ready for this. They know what they are getting from me. There\u2019s no question, I think. I bring the energy to help the team win\u201d.<\/p>\n THE EUROLEAGUE AT 33 \u2013<\/strong> \u201cEverybody talks about my age, but I don\u2019t know, my age is just a number, I think that I\u2019m better than most 25-year old guys. The age is just nothing to me. I\u2019m excited to start the EuroLeague this year. It\u2019s going to be a great experience, I\u2019m excited\u201d.<\/p>\n BURNS, THE PLAYER \u2013<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m 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\u201d.<\/p>\n EXPECTATIONS \u2013<\/strong> \u201cWe 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\u2019s where my mind is: help this team to win as many games as possible, stay together through the thick and thin\u201d.<\/p>\n Take a look at the video interview.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n