Phoenix Suns Rookie Ryan Dunn Tabbed NBA Rising Star As Injury Replacement

The Phoenix Suns have seen Ryan Dunn be a valuable contributor to a team that lacks depth. The Suns rookie has been named to the NBA Rising Stars Challenge as an injury replacement.

Jan 16, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images / Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

The NBA announced the Rising Stars roster this week that initally did not include Phoenix Suns rookie Ryan Dunn. The Virginia product has served as a ready-made contributor to a Suns team that lacks depth - already exceeding many people's expectations of him.

Dunn this year is averaging 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.1 stocks per game while shooting 45 percent from the floor, 32 percent from beyond the arc and 47 percent at the charity stripe.

Dunn was tabbed as an NBA Rising Stars roster injury replacement, taking the spot left behind by 76ers guard Jared McCain who is out for the season after suffering an injury earlier this year.

The NBA Rising Stars game will be a tournament style contest just as it was a year ago. However, in a new twist, whoever survives the Friday bracket will earn a spot to compete on Sunday against the three NBA All-Star teams in hopes of winning that tournament as well.

NBA Rising Stars Roster:

Sophomores

• Bilal Coulibaly
• Gradey Dick
• Keyonte George
• Scoot Henderson
• Trayce Jackson-Davis
• Jaime Jaquez Jr.
• Dereck Lively II (Replaced by Toumani Camara)
• Brandon Miller (Replaced by Anthony Black)
• Amen Thompson
• Cason Wallace
• Victor Wembanyama (Replaced by Ausar Thompson)

Rookies

• Bub Carrington
• Stephon Castle
• Tristan da Silva
• Zach Edey
• Dalton Knecht
• Jared McCain (Replaced by Ryan Dunn)
• Yves Missi
• Zaccharie Risacher
• Alex Sarr
• Jaylen Wells

G League

• Reed Sheppard
• JD Davison
• Mac McClung
• Bryce McGowens
• Leonard Miller
• Dink Pate
• Pat Spencer

The 2025 Castrol Rising Stars ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/X1zpomdES8

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 28, 2025

Dunn is replacing Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain. Black, Camara and Thompson are replacing NBA sophomores Dereck Lively II of the Dallas Mavericks, Brandon Miller of the Charlotte Hornets and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.

More: https://t.co/lWyyWWF6ks https://t.co/obLE0pi4hq

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 31, 2025

---

Want to join the discussion? Like Draft Digest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest NBA Draft news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.