Offensive Game
Developing scorer in his rookie season. Shows flashes of attacking off the dribble and finishing at the rim. Three-point shooting is an area of active development. Efficiency improving as he adjusts to NBA pace.
Career Journey
Phoenix Suns
2024-present
No. 28 pick (2024)
Drafted by Denver and traded to Phoenix on draft night; widely regarded as the top defensive prospect in his class out of Virginia.
Second NBA season (2025-26)
Appeared in about 70 games, averaging roughly 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists as a switchable defender.
Defensive profile
His 7-foot-2 wingspan and shot-blocking from the wing give him a rare 3-and-D ceiling if the jumper climbs.
| Season | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 70 | 5.8 | 4.2 | 1.5 | 45.3% | 33.1% |
Ryan Dunn was the best defensive prospect in his draft class, and Phoenix bet on that identity, acquiring him on draft night after Denver took him 28th. At Virginia he swallowed up ballhandlers and erased shots at the rim — 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals a game from a wing is a genuinely rare profile, powered by a 7-foot-2 wingspan and the feet to guard four positions. Two seasons in, the defense travels — he carved out a 70-game rotation role on versatility alone. The swing skill is the same one scouts flagged on draft night: the jumper. He's hovering in the low 30s from three, and if that climbs into the high 30s, a rangy, switchable defender becomes a real 3-and-D building block rather than a specialist.
Offensive Game
Developing scorer in his rookie season. Shows flashes of attacking off the dribble and finishing at the rim. Three-point shooting is an area of active development. Efficiency improving as he adjusts to NBA pace.
Defensive Game
Elite defensive prospect — arguably the best defensive wing in the 2024 draft class. Can guard 1-through-4, applies relentless ball pressure, and reads plays before they develop. NBA-ready defensive impact from day one.
Intangibles
High defensive IQ — reads offensive schemes quickly and understands positioning at an advanced level for a rookie. Offensive IQ still developing in the more complex NBA environment.
Personal Life & Family
Status
Single
Parents & Siblings
Off the Court
Youth basketball outreach in the Riverside, California community
Did You Know?
Dunn chose Virginia specifically for the defensive system under Tony Bennett — a deliberate decision that accelerated his defensive development and was a key factor in his top-ten draft selection.
He is one of the most physically gifted defensive prospects to come out of his position in recent memory, with a combination of wingspan, lateral quickness, and motor that scouts compared to elite defensive wings from previous draft classes.
Growing up in the Inland Empire of California, Dunn was a multi-sport athlete before focusing exclusively on basketball, giving him the overall athleticism that makes his defensive game so versatile.
At just 22 years old in his rookie season, Dunn is already defending the opponent's best perimeter scorer in Phoenix's defensive schemes — a responsibility typically reserved for veterans with several years of experience.
Career Honors
2024 NBA Draft (9th pick, Phoenix Suns)
ACC All-Defensive Team (Virginia, 2024)
Official Jerseys
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Phoenix Suns
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