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Providence announces return of point guard Kris Dunn for 2015-16 season

Kris Dunn

AP Photo

AP

After dealing with injuries for most of his first two seasons at Providence, redshirting as a freshman following surgery for a torn labrum in his shoulder, point guard Kris Dunn put together an outstanding 2014-15 campaign. Dunn averaged 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.7 steals per game last season, earning multiple All-America honors and also a share of the Big East Player of the Year award.

As a result there was serious consideration of the possibility of leaving Providence for the NBA. But Friday afternoon the school announced that Dunn, who some believed to be a first round pick had he left school, will return for his redshirt junior season.

“I am excited about next season,” Dunn said in the release. “I have seen this program accomplish a lot over the last three seasons and I would like to be part of some more success. I really enjoy being around my teammates, coaches and all the friends and family I have in Friartown. Lastly, I am looking forward to continuing my growth, improving as a basketball player and earning my diploma.”

Providence lost multiple contributors from this past season’s NCAA tournament team, most notably forward LaDontae Henton, but the return of Dunn means that the Friars should make a third consecutive tournament appearance under head coach Ed Cooley. Among the other returnees for Providence will be guard Kyron Cartwright and forwards Ben Bentil, Kyron Cartwright, Paschal Chukwu and Jalen Lindsey.

The Friars also add a four-member recruiting class led by shooting guard Drew Edwards and forward Ryan Fazekas. There will be talent but this is also a young group, and the return of Dunn gives Providence the leader they’ll need in 2015-16.