“If you would have told me this 10 years ago, I would’ve thought you were smoking, or crazy,” said Ryan Dunn, who has quickly ascended from college basketball to the global podium of the NBA. He has made a name for himself with his defensive displays. While the Phoenix Suns‘ star is on his way to becoming an established household name, let’s dive into some details about the journey that led him to the NBA.

Where is Phoenix Suns star Ryan Dunn from? Is he an American? 

Ryan was born to Edmund and Donna Dunn on January 7, 2003, in New Hyde Park, New York. Most details about his parents aren’t known. Since he was born and raised in the United States, he is an American citizen. His family’s connection to New York continues to influence him today, as they still live in Freeport.

“Faith plays a big role because without God I wouldn’t be on this platform and journey that he has placed me on in my life,” said Ryan, who grew up being quite religious, crediting his mother Donna as a huge influence on his lifelong faith. She is an American Methodist Episcopalian reverend and also works for a staffing company as an HR specialist and a recruiter.

“Mom’s like a teddy bear for me,” Dunn said. “Every time I get mad or down, I just go to her and hug her. If I’m having trouble with anything, I call her first. She gives the softer answers and the mom answers. ‘Everything’s going to be okay.’”

“My mom always took me to church. She instilled faith into me at a young age. Through my career in basketball, I was very under-recruited which took a toll on me. Nobody knew who I was and that got me discouraged, but my mom always told me to pray and to give thanks for the opportunity that God put in my life,” the NBA star narrated.

Athleticism runs in his blood. Ryan and his elder brother Justin are pro athletes! Justin Dunn is an MLB pitcher for the Reds. Ryan’s journey began a little differently from others, as he came from a baseball family and watched his brother play in his younger years.

Talking about his pre-hoop era, Ryan’s father joked, “In his junior year, he was so small, I would be like, ‘You don’t box out, you don’t block anybody, you don’t play D!” 

Ed Dunn further explained that a 15-year-old Ryan “would stand in the corner and shoot 3s. He would stay outside and shoot 3s. He was a little guy.” The beloved NBA star agreed with his father, “My dad’s 100% right: I was the complete opposite,” and added, “I couldn’t guard anybody. People wanted me to switch onto them so they could go score.”

But after a growth spurt, things changed, as he grew out of baseball and his love for basketball began to blossom. His parents supported his endeavors and spent the money to give him the best resources at the Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, and the Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania.

When was Ryan Dunn drafted? Which university did he attend? 

Ryan became a four-star recruit and received offers from several major universities before he accepted the University of Virginia. After his acceptance, coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers told Ryan, “You’re long, you’re athletic, you have a chance disrupting offenses“. Dunn’s 7-foot-1½ wingspan and 2.1% steal rate, 10.6% block rate, and 22.6% defense rebound rate in turn also attracted attention from the Denver Nuggets in the 2024 NBA Draft.

However, in a surprising twist on draft night, Dunn was immediately traded to the Phoenix Suns, alongside the 56th overall pick in the 2024 draft and second-round picks for 2026 and 2031, in exchange for the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 draft. On July 2, he signed a contract with the Phoenix side and debuted on October 23rd’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Ryan Dunn’s journey from Baldwin to the NBA is a testament to his dedication and the support of his family. As he continues his career with the Phoenix Suns, fans are excited to watch his growth, both on and off the court. It is only just the beginning for Ryan.