Former Pitt Target Back in Transfer Portal

The Pitt Panthers could consider adding this second-time transfer guard.

Houston’s Damian Dunn (11) smiles during open practices for 2024 NCAA Tournament teams at FedExForum / Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers are diving into their transfer portal options at guard after star freshman Bub Carrington announced that he would forgo his remaining college eligibility and declare for the 2024 NBA Draft.

Around this time last year, the Panthers had reached out to former Temple guard Damian Dunn. He ended up committing to Houston but Dunn is back in the transfer portal after one season with the Cougars and he could be an option this season as Pitt looks to replace Carrington.

Dunn took a step back into a smaller role when he joined the powerhouse Cougars this past season, playing nearly half as many minutes, taking half as many shots and scoring less than half as many points as he did the season prior. But there is evidence on his resume that he can be productive as a scoring guard.

In his final season at Temple, Dunn averaged a career-high 15.3 points and 3 rebounds per game alongside 3.7 rebounds and a 34.8% shooting clip from 3-point range. He showed strong playmaking ability too, with a career-high 20.8% assist rate while keeping his turnover rate under 20% for a third straight season on high usage (26% or more in his redshirt freshman, sophomore and junior seasons).

At Houston, Dunn unlocked a new level defensively with a career-high steal rate and and a defensive box plus minus figure of 2.4 (his previous career-high was 0.1).

Starting point guard Jaland Lowe has already confirmed that he will return for his sophomore season and should be expected to play all but a couple minutes per game running the offense with the ball in his hands. Star two-guard Ishmael Leggett has yet to make an announcement either way.

Dunn could fit beside those two in a three-guard starting lineup or come off the bench while still playing starter-level minutes. The Panthers would be counting on him continuing to be a plus defender like he was last year, although he won't have the benefit of being coached by one of this generation's great defensive schemers in Houston's Kelvin Sampson, while also returning to his 2022-23 form as a 3-point shooter. But his job would be easier in a larger role, but playing beside a standout point guard and two threats to create their own shot in the backcourt could make Pitt the right fit for Dunn.

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