Kinston Basketball: Up Next Damian Dunn (Free)
Kinston, North Carolina has a population of just under 22,000 people. Take into account that over 7 players from the eastern North Carolina city have played in the NBA, then that number is astounding. The NCHSAA has crowned 101 state champions in four classifications. Kinston has won 11 of them. Let that sink in for a minute.
Cedrick Maxwell honed his game in Kinston before heading to UNC-Charlotte, leading them to a Final Four before spending time with the Boston Celtics. Maxwell won two NBA championships including being named MVP of the 1981 NBA Finals.
Jerry Stackhouse left Kinston for powerhouse Oak Hill Academy (Va.) then to The University of North Carolina where he was an All-American before playing 18 seasons in the NBA.
Tony Dawson and Craig Dawson (relatives of Stackhouse) mastered their skill in Kinston then played collegiately at Florida State and Wake Forest before their professional playing days.
Reggie Bullock followed in Stackhouse’s steps at The University of North Carolina before being drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers and now playing with the Detroit Pistons.
Recently Brandon Ingram left Kinston after winning four-straight state NCHSAA championships to attend Duke University and was the 2nd pick in June’s NBA Draft to the Los Angeles Lakers.
While making it to the NBA is the ultimate goal for all the Kinston youngsters that play on the playgrounds and at recreational centers throughout the city, some just want the chance to wear the proud Kinston High School jersey.
In the last five years alone Kinston bred players has produced ten collegiate players.
Josh Dawson (Fayetteville State), Mike Tyson (Fayetteville State), Donte’ Reynolds (San Francisco, played at Kinston his freshman year), Andrew Lopez (Chowan), Denzel Keyes (NC A&T), Marquez Jones (Winston-Salem St.), Darnell Dunn (Miami-Dade) in , Mykel Hart (Mt. Olive), Dory Hines (Mt. Olive), Victor Holloway (Winston-Salem St).
Next up at Kinston is 2019 shooting guard Damian Dunn. His brother Darnell Dunn (now at Miami-Dade College) is one of only two players in NCHSAA history to win four straight state championships. The other is a Los Angeles Laker now, Brandon Ingram.
Currently standing at 6-foot-4, the younger Dunn is making a name for himself in the gym where so many stars have stepped on the court. Dunn has a combination of skill, athleticism and size to his advantage at this early age and college programs have taken notice.
Old Dominion was the first to offer the Stackhouse Elite (sponsored and coached by Jerry Stackhouse) point guard/shooting guard. Tulane University offered yesterday. He tells PrepHoopsNC, “I’ve been receiving some stuff from Xavier. Schools such as Georgetown, East Carolina, Arizona State and NC State have reached out and called.” Dunn had this to say about what he is looking at in a college, “The things I am looking for in a school before signing include the relationship I have with the coaches. Could I fit my style of play into their arsenal? Most importantly is it a school where I can maximize my potential on and off of the court?”
Playing for Kinston High School comes with a responsibility of winning championships and being a role model on and off the court. Damian Dunn knows what is expected of teams from Kinston HS, so his plans for the future are what you would expect. He said, ” My goals this upcoming year are trying to win another state championship and just continue to get better and better as every season progresses.”
Dunn can get into the lane at will, he is stronger and bigger that most players that are at his position. He can score from anywhere on the floor. His change of pace and quickness are key attributes that have people buzzing in Kinston about the future of the programs. He is able to guard up to four positions on the floor at anytime. He explains his game as “The most important parts of my game include the swagger I bring to the table. Another important part of my game is my motor. Playing every possession my hardest is key. I’ve been called a smooth scorer. I see myself as a versatile guard who can create with the ball, I like to pull up mid range. I can hit the open 3 off the ball and I get to the line frequently. I’m taking more and more pride defensively and I make my teammates around me better.”
As with any rising sophomore, there are keys to the game that need improving and Dunn knows this. “I’m working to get better in every aspect every day. Mainly improving as a defender, becoming a more consistent shooter, tightening my handle, and becoming more athletic. I know athleticism will improve more and more when my body matures.”
Kinston High School has it’s next big star and Damian Dunn is ready for the responsibility. Sit back and watch it unfold in the city that can truly call itself the “HoopCity” in the “HoopState.”