KSL SPORTS EXCLUSIVE: Jazz Guard Kris Dunn On His Journey Back To NBA
Mar 20, 2023, 4:39 PM | Updated: Mar 21, 2023, 10:50 am
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn sat down with Jeremiah Jensen of KSL Sports to discuss his journey through professional basketball.
During the interview, Dunn made it clear that family is his number one motivator and his family has been his biggest support system through his bumpy career.
“You know that’s who we do it for. One of my favorite things to do is see my family smile,” Dunn said. “It’s just a beautiful feeling.”
From Top 5 Pick To G-League: Kris Dunn’s Journey
When asked how he would describe his professional basketball journey Dunn said, “like the Superman roller coaster: scary.”
Dunn attended Providence College from 2012-2016.
Despite having injury problems and undergoing shoulder surgery at the collegiate level, Dunn’s talent was apparent. He was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the fifth pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
He was traded after his rookie season to Chicago as a part of the Jimmy Butler deal. Chicago received a 2107 first-round pick that eventually became Lauri Markkanen.
Dunn was a Chicago Bull until the 2020 season. From 2020-2022, Dunn played for the Hawks and the Trailblazers. He also spent some time in the NBA G-League.
“Being a top-5 pick you have a lot of expectations on you and right off the bat, it didn’t go well,” he described his early pro career.
Dunn told KSL Sports about his summer working out at a Providence gym. When people would ask him where he is going next season, he would proudly say the G-League.
“No need to be embarrassed, I am going to the G-League to work,” Dunn said.
𝚒𝚝’𝚜 𝚊 𝚍𝚞𝚗𝚗 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚕 ✍️
We have signed guard @krisdunn3 to a multi-year deal!
🔗 https://t.co/qNVksF8xOD#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/lb6rkZI2ir
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 14, 2023
Dunn described having doubts in himself after a couple of tough career stops in Minnesota and Chicago before getting some valuable practice in the G-League.
“You have some doubt, like can you be that player you once were?” Dunn described his feelings. “And that’s where the family piece came in.”
And now Dunn has a family of his own – a son.
“And, you know now, I have a son and failure is one thing I am not going to teach him,” he said. “It’s OK to fail, but we are not going to let failure be an embarrassment to you.”
RELATED: Kris Dunn Works For Bucket During Jazz-Magic Game
Kris Dunn With The Utah Jazz
Kris Dunn giving Walker Kessler tips on defensive footwork on the perimeter.
On the previous play, Walk erased Dunn with a huge block.
On the next play, Dunn crossed Kessler into oblivion. pic.twitter.com/USg6ZhubRs
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 17, 2023
On March 14, we learned the Utah Jazz were signing Dunn to a multi-year deal after he was initially signed on a 10-day contract.
“Super excited, a lot of emotions ran through my family and me when I heard the news, and just super grateful. Grateful for the organization, the coaching staff, my teammates,” Dunn described how he felt when the Utah Jazz came calling.
“If you keep fighting and keep putting in the work, good things are going to happen, and my story is still being written.” – Kriss Dunn, Utah Jazz Guard
