I think he’s gone once he starts showing flashes on the offensive end. Let’s see what he can do next year…
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What we really need to cheer for is his brother’s MLB career to take off big time so loot is not as big a factor!
Awesome dude and family.
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I agree, if he can get his handles and shot consistent I think he’s gone. Which I am all for, just a shame because I think he’s going to be special, but he won’t peak at UVa.
Not sure if that makes sesne.
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Dunn is one of those guys you just can’t help but root for. Remembering that he was willing to come here without a scholarship, he is totally bought into the program, and seems to play with utter joy. Yet at the same time, he has a real competitive edge. His blocks, rebounds, and dunks are executed with ferocity.
He IS truly a fan-favorite.
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Yeah, it makes sense. He’s in the range of guys who don’t need to be great or even good (consistently) when they get to the league, just show flashes that they can get there…
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The question is if Dunn peaks at being a Mamadi type or if he really unveils the Hunter/scoring forward skill set
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Exactly potential is the word I was looking for. If he shows those flashes a team will snatch him up because his physicals are out of this world.
@AnonymooseHoo I think Dunn is closer to Hunter on offense with Mamadi’ defensive shot blocking and interior presence. He has a bit more refined offensive game that Mamadi did as a first year so a higher floor to work with. It will be interesting to see how his body develops if he can hold a frame like Dre does, then he is going to be a nightmare with his length.
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He’s already got a better jumper as a first-year than Mamadi as a fourth-year. Dribbling, however…
Edit: Per Dragon’s point, they are also really different players. Mamadi definitely had more of a low-post game, Dunn, at this point, more of a wing.
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Yea the handles have to clean up. I believe I’ve seen 3 TO’s from dribbling a ball off his foot or knee in the last 2 games.
It’s one thing to be ineffective off the bounce to create your own shot, Dre was to a degree, but you can’t turn it over.
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Gotta remember that Hunter shot 50% from 3 in ACC play.
I think Dunn is already contributing like 2nd/3rd year Mamadi in a lot of ways. It is just obviously difficult to say if he will get to Hunter’s level of shooting
And being Mamadi+ still means you will earn a few hundred thousand or few million in Europe or bouncing around the league.
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Speaking of… when he first came to the scorers table against Duke to check in JPJ went bananas
Furthermore after the game in the back with families etc he made it a point to give a sincere hug to all his teammates’ moms and families. Seems like a very mature dude as well
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Yeah, you could hear the roar on the TV. If memory serves, the announcers commented on it.
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Great point, Dre’s shooting was elite. Dunn is going to have to work for that. But as @CaptainThurman15 said Dunn plays more like a wing than Mamadi who was a post guy who then expanded his game.
I think Dunn brings more to the table than Mamadi given he has more experience and a better floor. He may not become the No. 4 draft pick but I think he will be a fixture in the league once his game comes together.
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Same with “Trigga!!!”
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I think there’s a lot to be said having an older brother who is a pro athlete. He’s seen and learns first hand how to be a professional and be mature. His choice to come to UVa even if a scholarship wasn’t on the table, Dunn and his family get it, that’s a special young man.
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Depends on which fourth year. In his fourth year at UVa, Diakite was 5-17 (Dunn is 4-13). In his fifth year (fourth year playing), Diakite was 20-55 (36%).
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Sort of like John Butler for FSU last year, drafted off potential, only kinda helped their team. Though Dunn has probably been more impactful than Butler already, through his defense.
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I think the positive with Dunn is he seems to appreciate the process. He won’t leave until he feels he is ready and with some solid family backing, there likely isn’t the push to leave to make money right away. That could buy the Hoos another season with him when it comes time.
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Yeah, I’m going by the look of their shots. Obviously, Dunn’s minutes and shot attempts lead to too small a sample size to compare to Mamadi’s 55 attempts in his final season. That is, Dunn’s 4-13 is 30.8%, but if he’d made just one more, he would have jumped to 38.5%. And if he hits his next attempt, making him 5-14, he jumps to 35.7%.
We’ll see next year, but I think he’s way ahead of Mamadi by the eyeball test.
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From your fingertips to God’s ears!
edit: eyes…
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