2024 NBA Draft: Ryan Dunn has Potential to be Generational Defender

Virginia basketball has been known for their stellar defense in the Tony Bennett era and Ryan Dunn fits right in with that style. What makes Dunn such a special defender?

The 2024 NBA Draft is lacking a clear superstar talent or generational prospect we were blessed to see in last year’s draft with Victor Wembanyama, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t generational skills in this year’s draft. Many prospects in the past have been drafted in the lottery due to generational skills, whether that was Zion Williamson’s generational athleticism or Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking. In this year’s draft there might be one prospect with a generational skill and that is Virginia’s wing Ryan Dunn with his defensive ability. Let’s dive into why Dunn has a case as a generational defender.

Dunn is a 6-foot-8 wing with an impressive 7-foot-1 wingspan and an impressive frame that looks like he will be able to add a lot of strength and proper weight. Dunn averages 2.9 steals per game which is tenth in the nation and he also averages 2.9 blocks which is fourth in the nation. No player in NCAA history has ever finished top ten in both steals and blocks per game in the same year which is just remarkable to even think about considering all the years college basketball has been around and all the phenomenal defenders we have seen in the past.

Stats only tell 50% of the story though as his defensive versatility really pops on film. Dunn is very quick and athletic which allows him to be an effective point of attack defender as he can hound ball-handlers and consistently force turnovers with his activity and quick hands. Dunn often plays in the passing lanes and is one of the best defensive playmakers you will ever see at the collegiate level. His rim protection is really good for a wing as he’s quite athletic vertically while possessing a 7-foot-1 wingspan and having great defensive awareness and instincts.

Whenever you watch Virginia play, Dunn will always stand out due to how high of a motor he plays with and how many plays he makes on the defensive end whether it’s on or off the ball. Tony Bennett is a defensive minded coach which definitely fits a guy like Dunn who has made a strong case as a potential lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft primarily due to his elite defensive versatility.

The next step for Dunn is for him to improve as a 3-point shooter, especially off the catch to make him the ideal 3-and-D prospect. In his college career he’s shooting at just 27.3% from deep on a total of 33 shot attempts from the outside. Whenever Dunn gets to the NBA, the organization will have to be very patient when developing his offensive game as he’s still a bit raw on that end. Despite some of his offensive woes, Dunn is a really enticing prospect due to his ridiculous defensive ability.

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