One of the heartbreaking aspects of Kris Dunn’s life was that even though his mom was in prison, he had to work and find money for himself. His brother never did get used to it until one day they found a loophole: playing 1-on-1 basketball games. By joining these games together with other people on their level, they were able to make some serious bucks while still helping out each other along the way.
Kris Dunn used to try and help his mom out with the electric bill when he was in high school. He would play 1 on 1 games online while she did her time, earning him a little bit of money for himself or his brother. That strategy led Kris to success professionally as well, helping propel the Timberwolves into the playoffs last seasonKris Dunn was nine-years old when his mother went to prison and had no one else in his family to take care of him. When he became a freshman at Providence College, it didn’t pay for everything – money still needed to be raised by other means. Before long, the small loans Kris made from friends started paying off with interest and he quickly grew addicted not just playing basketball but gambling as well. As his skill level improved so did the stakes until finally one day someone put $50,000 on the line against them.;
The “kris dunn stats” is a story about Kris Dunn, who used to win money for him and his brother by playing 1.
Every NBA player has a unique backstory. Each had a unique background, and the majority had to overcome some type of hardship in order to become one of the finest basketball players in the world.
One guy in particular may have the saddest, but most inspirational, tale in the NBA. Kris Dunn, a free agent, is that player.
Kris and his elder brother, 13-year-old John Dunn, didn’t grow up like “regular” kids as 9-year-olds in Alexandria, Virginia.
The two boys resided with their mother, Pia James, who had left New London, Connecticut, to avoid John Seldon, the boy’s father.
The Dunn brothers lacked cable. They didn’t always have hot water, but this didn’t bother them, particularly Kris. This was “regular life” to him.
Kris and John’s “regular existence” was disrupted when Kris’ mother, Pia, left and was jailed for a few days.
Pia was constantly in problems, whether it was for credit card fraud or driving while inebriated. After a few days, she’d always return. Then she vanished one day, never to be seen again.
Because John was the elder brother, he was placed in charge, but no family should have a 13-year-old as the head of the household.
Kris and John had to do anything they could to live since they didn’t have a mother to bring in money for food.
The boys would sell their things at a discount, including their “Air Jordans,” simply to have enough money to eat.
John would bet at a neighboring park, winning games of craps and 7–11 using trick dice.
Kris used two distinct methods to make money for the family.
He’d make money by battling young drug dealers who roamed around his neighborhood late at night and stealing their cash.
Kris also made money by playing older boys one-on-one in basketball for $20, which was presumably less aggressive.
Kris decided to gamble even though he didn’t have the funds to back up his wager. Kris Dunn took a chance on himself.
Of course, Kris would occasionally lose, in which case he would flee, and other times he would have to fight.
Kris has the following to say about his upbringing:
“It was a living horror.” There was probably not a single day when we smiled. My highs were at an all-time high, and my lows were at an all-time low.”
It was a difficult time. Kris and John decided to forego school in order to concentrate on their jobs. This drew people to their home in an attempt to discover them.
Kris and John didn’t answer the door, and they didn’t want to talk to the cops because they were afraid of being separated in foster care.
Kris’ mother abandoned him when he was a little child. Kris’ mother tried all she could to cut off all ties with him and his father.
When John Seldon returned home one day, he discovered his home was deserted. His whole family had disappeared, leaving no trace. Seldon, like his boys who were more than 350 miles away, sank into his own dark realm.
Seldon spent the next eight years trying to find his boys, even going to the courts, but to no avail.
Pia became anxious to support her two boys while she was imprisoned for such a long time.
She caved in and phoned Seldon, setting up a meeting for their son, John, in Connecticut to get clothes and other requirements.
Then John would return home, leaving Seldon alone in Connecticut, apart from his family.
Kris was saddened when he learned of this, and he was envious that his brother was able to meet with their father while he was unable to.
Kris had this to say about the incident in an interview with USA Today Sports:
“It almost seemed unjust that my brother had the opportunity to meet my father while I did not.” It wasn’t the proper moment, I think. Meeting my father piqued my interest. I wanted to learn how to be a guy from someone. Having a father figure nearby, someone I could speak to about anything, was invaluable. Having that link between dads and sons that all fathers and sons should have.”
Seldon was once again without his family when John returned home with provisions. Seldon, on the other hand, was not about to let his two sons slip through his fingers again.
Seldon checked his phone bill and found the phone numbers John had used to reach him.
Seldon found out about Pia’s arrest and where the boys were living after a few phone calls. This provided him with the necessary ammo to go to court and get custody of Kris and John Dunn.
Seldon traveled directly to Virginia to pick up his sons after being granted custody.
Kris, who had grown used to the conflict, reacted violently when his father attempted to enter the flat for the first time.
Kris grabbed a bottle of hot sauce and attempted to strike Seldon, not realizing that Seldon was his father. It required John to calm Kris down by informing him that the man in front of them was their father.
Seldon’s return to New London, Connecticut, with Kris and John wasn’t easy, particularly for the little Kris.
“I’m the kind of person who doesn’t trust just anybody,” Kris said. “You have to establish that bond and trust, and my father was a master at it.” He didn’t attempt to put me under too much stress.”
Kris’ life has finally found some order and stability. He had a new family as well. Kris and John now had a stepmother, a 10-year-old sibling (Seldon’s wife’s son), and two baby sisters in addition to their father (daughters of Seldon and his wife).
Things started to turn around for him, particularly in high school sports.
Kris mastered basketball and football, his father’s favorite sport. Kris was the starting point guard as a freshman, and by his sophomore year, he had guided his team to the state championship game.
Kris earned All-American accolades in 2012, which drew the interest of a few major universities.
Kris’ games drew scouts from all around the country, notably from UConn and Kentucky. Head coach Ed Cooley of Providence was ultimately the one who created the connection with Kris.
“I needed someone to keep me battling in life and never forget my grief and suffering,” Kris said of his conversation with Ed Cooley. “I had a feeling he was going to be that guy.”
So, despite the fact that Seldon, a former football star at New London and then in Dodge City, Kansas, where he played college ball, wanted Kris to play football, Kris elected to play basketball at Providence.
Seldon had this to say when Kris told his father that he was leaving football to concentrate on basketball:
“If you had seen him play football, you would have thought he was incredible. Everyone believes he made the correct choice. That is exactly what he wants. I’m going to support him in whatever he decides to do. That is exactly what parents do. You support your children.”
Kris aspired to play basketball since it was basketball that kept the family fed through the most difficult times.
Kris Dunn was able to stay alive thanks to basketball. The task at hand was to make it through college.
Kris’s college years, like his childhood years, would be difficult for him.
Kris underwent surgery to correct a shoulder problem the summer before he started college. He had to sit out till December as a result of this.
Kris’ sophomore year would be much worse. After just four unproductive games, he re-injured the same shoulder, which would force him to miss the remainder of the season.
Kris’ situation deteriorated worse. His mother died away after his second season. This, along with another shoulder surgery, had him questioning his future.
Kris, like when he was a boy growing up in poverty, did not give up. He persisted in his struggle.
Kris’ breakthrough year would come the next year. After averaging 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game in 2014-15, he was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year.
Kris entered the draft that year without hiring an agent. He ultimately changed his mind, stating that he needed to improve on certain flaws in his game and get his college diploma.
Kris would repeat his 2014-15 season, averaging 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game in 2015-16.
For the second year in a row, Kris would be both Big East Defensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year.
He is the only player in Big East history to win Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year twice, joining Patrick Ewing (Georgetown ’85).
Kris would forego his redshirt junior year and join the 2016 NBA Draft, where the Minnesota Timberwolves selected him fifth overall.
Kris leased a vehicle with a couple of hundred bags only days after getting recruited.
Volunteers distributed them to students at his high school. Later, the van would return with pizza boxes.
This isn’t the first time Kris has shown generosity before walking onto an NBA floor.
“Kris purchased the whole boys and girls, basketball teams, here everything you could possibly need for basketball before he ever played his first game in the NBA,” New London coach Craig Parker said.
Kris’ childhood experiences motivated him to aid poor youngsters everywhere he went.
The Timberwolves moved him to the Chicago Bulls after his first season in Minnesota, where he didn’t get any playing time.
Kris would continue to assist youngsters in Chicago while while earning a starting position with the Chicago Bulls.
Kris signed with the Atlanta Hawks after three successful seasons in Chicago. Injuries hampered him throughout his one year in Atlanta.
Kris only played four games with the Hawks because of leg issues that necessitated surgery.
Kris was released by the Grizzlies on September 15, 2021, after a couple more transactions put him in Memphis.
Despite the fact that Kris Dunn is now a free agent, we know he will not give up.
Kris will continue to play basketball to live, just as he did when he was a youngster, and will eventually find himself on a team’s roster.
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