NBA
#5 Minnesota Timberwolves: Kris Dunn
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
With the fifth pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Kris Dunn (who played his college career at Providence College).
With Dunn sliding to number five, Minnesota was quick to pull the trigger on the 6’4 guard from New London, Connecticut. Dunn averaged 16.4 points per game his senior season at Providence to go along with 6.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals. Most scouts look at Dunn as the most NBA-ready guard in the draft because of his age and maturity.
Dunn is a versatile scorer who can explode to the basket and use his strength to finish around the rim as he stands at 220 pounds, but also somebody who has incredible vision on the court and is always looking for his teammates.
After early injury scares in college, Dunn appears to be healthy and ready to make an immediate impact on the game. If Minnesota decides to keep Dunn – as there continues to be numerous rumors on Dunn being on the move – you could expect Dunn to provide an immediate spark and impact off the bench (or starting) for Minnesota at the start of the season.
Dunn, who can score and pass the ball with ease, is also an elite defender at his position so don’t be surprised to see him on an All-Defensive team down the line.
With Dunn’s maturity, length and strength, he will be able to make an immediate impact for the T-Wolves – or wherever he ends up with all the aggressive trade rumors.
