Virginia guard Ryan Dunn has announced his decision to forego his final two years of eligibility and enter the 2024 NBA draft, as confirmed to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. Dunn expressed gratitude for his time at UVA and is now focused on taking the next step in his career, having received positive feedback from NBA scouts. He emphasized his readiness for the challenges of professional basketball, stating that he is fully committed to pursuing his NBA aspirations.
In the latest mock draft by B/R’s Jonathan Wasserman, Dunn is projected as the No. 41 overall pick. Despite his defensive prowess and versatility, Dunn faced challenges with his three-point shooting, converting only 20 percent of his attempts last season. This limitation impacted Virginia’s offensive spacing, although Dunn remained instrumental as a rebounder and rim protector, contributing to the team’s success.
Reflecting on his performance, Dunn acknowledged his confidence struggles with shooting beyond the arc but expressed determination to adopt a different mindset moving forward. His athleticism and defensive abilities, combined with his 6’8″ frame, ensure his draft prospects. However, his ability to showcase improvement as a shooter in pre-draft workouts will likely influence his draft position.
To improve his chances in the draft, Dunn should make the most of every chance to show off his abilities, starting with the NBA draft combine in May. If he can show he’s a strong shooter and performs well in full-court play, he could rise in the draft rankings, maybe even landing in the first round.
With the 2024 draft class being seen as solid, teams picking in the 20s and 30s are especially interested in players like Dunn who can both shoot threes and play solid defense, potentially becoming key players in the NBA.
