The Phoenix Suns selected Virginia small forward Ryan Dunn with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the NBA draft after making a trade with the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
The Suns originally selected Dayton power forward DaRon Holmes II at No. 22 overall, but sent him to Denver for Dunn, the 56th overall pick Thursday and second-round picks in 2026 and 2031.
This is what the @Suns can expect from Ryan Dunn!
🔶⚔️🔷#GoHoos pic.twitter.com/D9NB2IzgZL
— Virginia Men's Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) June 27, 2024
The 6-6, 214-pound Dunn becomes the Cavaliers’ fourth first-round pick in the past six NBA drafts. Trey Murphy III (2021), De’Andre Hunter (2019) and Ty Jerome (2019) were the others.
UVA now has 12 players overall who have been first-round draft picks. Before the four previously mentioned players, there were Justin Anderson (2015), Cory Alexander (1995), Bryant Stith (1992), Olden Polynice (1987), Ralph Sampson (1983), Jeff Lamp (1981), Wally Walker (1976) and Barry Parkhill (1973).
Dunn is considered perhaps the best defender in this year’s draft, with a reported 7-2 wingspan. He made the ACC All-Defensive Team and led the league in blocked shots with 2.3 per game.
Dunn left college early after playing only two seasons for the Cavaliers. He averaged 8.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals a game last season.
While he shot 54.8% from the field, long-distance shooting and free-throw shooting were two of his weaknesses. He shot 20% from 3-point range — making only 12 in two seasons — and 53.2% from the line.
Already loaded on offense with stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the Suns needed a boost on defense. They might get it with Dunn.
Welcome to the Valley, Ryan! 🏜️ pic.twitter.com/j5I5tHeI3y
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 27, 2024
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers traded former UVA star Malcolm Brogdon to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. The Wizards sent forward Deni Avdija to Portland for Brogdon, the 14th overall pick Wednesday (Pittsburgh guard Bub Carrington) and a first-round pick in 2029. Brogdon was a second-round pick in 2016.
Brogdon averaged 15.7 points a game for the Blazers last season.
