Chicago Bulls: Kris Dunn’s past prepared him for future

Kris Dunn has emerged as a star for the Chicago Bulls, and he’s done so in spite of some pretty long odds.

To those familiar with Kris Dunn’s background, his turn-around 2017 campaign and arrival as one of the top up-and-coming stars of the league with the Chicago Bulls should come as no surprise.

For the uninitiated, his lackluster rookie campaign might have been misinterpreted as evidence that the former Providence College star would never live up to the expectations of a top 5 draft pick.

However, based on Dunn’s past, that would have been unwise.

By now, most are aware of the story. Dunn’s resolve was forged in the fire of a childhood wrought with hardship and heartbreak. He grew up in Alexandria, VA with his older brother John and Mother, Pia.

Unfortunately, Pia’s troubles have been well documented, to include multiple run-ins with the law, causing her to be absent from much of her sons’ childhood. As a result, Dunn had to fend for himself — famously hustling older kids for money in pick-up games of basketball. His father, living in Connecticut at the time, reconnected with Dunn and his brother, bringing them both to live with him in New London.

Dunn was given a chance, which as he has demonstrated throughout his life, is all he needs.

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Dunn used this opportunity to become a McDonald’s All-American and secure a scholarship offer from Providence College, along with perennial powers Louisville, Georgetown, and Connecticut, among others.

Many believed the hometown Huskies held a distinct advantage, but he formed a special bond with Providence native and head coach Ed Cooley, who shared a similar upbringing with Dunn. The two instantly connected, as is not hard to do with the charismatic leader of the Friars, and Dunn spurned the Huskies in favor of the resurgent Friars.

His decision to blaze his own path and be a part of building something special in Friartown spoke volumes about his character, make-up, and loyalty. All of these traits would be tested throughout his illustrious college career, as he battled through multiple shoulder injuries, causing him to miss portions of his freshman and sophomore years.

Despite all of that, Dunn was largely regarded as a lock for the first round, and potentially even a lottery pick, following his junior season. To the delight of the Friar Faithful and the surprise of many, he chose to return to school.

For him, it was as much about getting his degree and setting an example for his siblings, as it was taking care of unfinished business on the court. Again, this was a decision that in hindsight, should have given everyone a clue as to who he would become.

The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Dunn fifth overall in the 2016 draft, and many believed Dunn was the perfect fit for Tom Thibodeau’s system.  However, as Dunn admitted in a recent interview with David Aldridge, he was trying too hard to impress his coach and things just did not work out.

Then, on the night of the 2017 NBA Draft, the T’Wolves traded him to the Chicago Bulls as part of a draft night deal for Jimmy Butler. After a year of coveting Dunn, the Bulls finally got their man.

While many decried the trade at the time, with the way Dunn and Lauri Markkanen (acquired with the draft pick from the trade) are playing, there is little doubt that Chicago won that deal.

Dunn has gone from averaging 3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists his rookie year, to 13.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 6 assists through 33 games this year, putting the Bulls’ “tanking plan” in serious jeopardy.

On the court he is becoming more comfortable and assertive, clearly flourishing in Fred Hoiberg’s offense.  He has dismissed the doubt that could have easily crept into his head following his rookie year, relying on those same character traits that have served him so well throughout his journey.

Next: Fred Hoiberg proving himself as long-term coach?

Dunn has been a major reason why this group has overachieved expectations.  With Zach LaVine (also acquired in the trade) scheduled to return in the near future, Dunn appears poised to blaze his own with the Chicago Bulls.  Knowing what we do about Dunn, no one should be surprised anymore.