Brady Dunlap rewarded Rick Pitino’s risk with breakout St. John’s performance
VILLANOVA, Pa. Two minutes and 42 seconds into Tuesdays victory over Butler, Chris Ledlum came out.
He had tweaked his sprained ankle, and needed a brief break.
Rick Pitino couldve turned in several directions.
There was Glenn Taylor Jr., who had started 12 games and played a vital role as one of the teams top defenders.
He had the option of going small and bringing in veteran guard Nahiem Alleyne.
Or going big and inserting power forward Drissa Traore.
Pitino chose a different route altogether.
He called on seldom-used freshman Brady Dunlap, who hadnt appeared in the previous four games and had scored a grand total of 18 points all year.
Rick Pitino said that Brady Dunlap is “going to be a great one” at St. John’s. Robert Sabo for the NY PostTo Pitino, it was a no-brainer.
The elite-shooting Dunlap had performed extremely well in skill sessions and practices, earning the opportunity.
We have great confidence in him, the Hall of Fame coach said. I was planning on starting him in this game, but Ledlum was ready. If Ledlum wasnt ready, he was starting because of what he did in practice.
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The 6-foot-7 Californian showed why in a breakout performance.
He scored 13 points, 10 coming in a strong first half, helping St. Johns cruise past Butler.
He sank three 3-pointers and looked sure of himself, far more sure of himself than in other instances.
He defended well, was aggressive and was rewarded with what was by far a season-high of 28 minutes.
Dunlap had managed to stay confident despite struggling to see the court.
One thing that helped him was having another freshman, fellow four-star recruit Simeon Wilcher, going through the exact same situation: trying to carve out roles for themselves on a veteran team.
They do their best to keep each others spirits high.
Another factor was he was prepared to watch more than play this season.
The son of longtime Division I assistant coach Jeff Dunlap, when he committed to St. Johns Dunlap did so knowing his role wasnt likely to be significant as a freshman.
Brady Dunlap from WAY DOWNTOWN @11Bradyd x @StJohnsBBallpic.twitter.com/faBhEF23pV
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 3, 2024This winter would be more about development.
I wasnt coming to this program expecting lots of minutes, he said. I just wanted to get as good as I can throughout this year. At the same time, always staying ready if Pitino does call my name. I dont want to be on the bench and not prepared to go into this game.
Where Dunlap goes from here is uncertain.
ESPN rated Brady Dunlap as a four-star recruit coming out of high school. Robert Sabo for the NY PostSt. Johns could certainly use his shooting ability it is only hitting 34.1 percent as a team from beyond the arc and now that it is playing more zone, the rail-thin freshman wont be as easily exposed on the defensive end.
Plus, Ledlum is a question mark to play Saturday against Villanova with his sprained ankle, which could mean an even bigger role for Dunlap.
Pitino joked that Dunlap has so much belief in himself, he thinks hes Jerry West when hes on the floor.
The coach likes that hes not afraid of contact, despite his slim frame.
There is a chance he could become a fixture in the rotation if he can build off his performance against Butler.
He is going to develop into a great player, Pitino said. Im not going to tell you he is going to be Chris Mullin, but he is going to be a great scorer at St. Johns with the likes of a Chris Mullin. Hes only a freshman, but he is going to be a great one.
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