Ryan Dunn Recaps His Official Visit to Virginia
Virginia hosted their top remaining class of 2022 target Ryan Dunn on an official visit over the weekend.
Dunn, who made the trip to Charlottesville with his parents, was one of the summer’s biggest stock climbers. The 6’7 wing included the Hoos in his top 8 last month along with Boston College, Minnesota, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Oklahoma State, and South Carolina. Already a graduate of Long Island Lutheran (NY), he’s now doing a prep year at The Perkiomen School (PA).
Dunn On His Visit
“It was great” Dunn said of his visit to Charlottesville. “I heard from people that Virginia was a really nice campus, and it was really nice. The facilities are great. Having a chance to meet all the team and the coaches was really cool. They’re awesome people.”
Dunn admitted “I really didn’t know a lot about Virginia when they first offered. Talking to Coach Bennett and getting to see the campus, it gave me a good eye of what Virginia is all about. Just to understand their program and culture”
He got a chance to spend time with the current players. Specifically mentioning Armaan Franklin, Reece Beekman, and Chase Coleman. “They’re all really cool guys. The football game was fun too” he made a point of mentioning. “Being the second football game I’ve ever gone to, it was really cool seeing them play. Overall, the whole visit was a great experience”
How We Got Here
Dunn was offered by Virginia immediately after Head Coach Tony Bennett watched him play several times in Atlantic City during the final live period of July. It was one of 15 high-major offers he received, all coming in a span of two months over the summer. As usual with recruits, Bennett has been very direct in his assessment of Dunn’s game.
“My versatility on the floor, and always giving a winning effort. That’s what he likes about me most” Dunn explained. "My shooting and my finishing ability in transition. He likes that I play defense, but he says that I can improve on that end. He said I can improve by cutting down on turnovers. if I go there, I’ll need to do that”
The Virginia coaching staff often compares recruits to current or former Wahoos as a way to better explain how they would be utilized. For Dunn, the models have been a pair of Bennett’s best. “Malcolm Brogdon. They’ve talked about him a lot to me. Some {DeAndre] Hunter too”
What's Next for Dunn
Despite only knowing them a couple months, Dunn feels like he’s established a good relationship with the Virginia staff. “I have trust in what they say. I feel like I can trust Coach Bennett. He’s big on the whole religious stuff, which I’m kind of big on too. People have told me he’s a man of his word. That’s important to me.”
Virginia already has three commitments for 2022, currently ranked as a top 5 class in the nation. Poca (WV) guard Isaac McKneely was the first to commit in January. Wauwatosa East (WI) wing Leon Bond made his pledge in July. Then most recently, Grand Island (NE) forward Isaac Traudt. Dunn said he’s talked with Bond and McKneely, both encouraging him to become the fourth member of what would be one of Bennett’s best classes at Virginia.
A decision may not be far off for Dunn. He doesn’t have any other visits planned right now after making trips to Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and Virginia on consecutive weekends. “I’ll talk to my parents and see what we think about everything” Maybe we’ll decide to take more visits, I don’t know yet. If not, I’ll probably make my choice by late September or early October”
(Featured Image courtesy of Adidas 3SSB)