'Being Pittsburgh strong' sold transfer Barry Dunning Jr. on coming to Pitt

After playing for three college basketball teams the past three seasons, Barry Dunning Jr. was drawn to being part of Jeff Capel’s rebuilt roster at Pitt and chasing success in the ACC.

“Being Pittsburgh strong and going in with a chip on my shoulder, playing for something bigger than themselves, and from an individual standpoint, improving on my game,” Dunning said, explaining which of Capel’s selling points resonated with him.

The 6-foot-6, 195-pound senior wing will be an experienced presence for Capel’s team, which has undergone lots of turnover this offseason.

The Panthers have added seven newcomers for 2025-26, including transfers Damarco Minor (Oregon State), center Dishon Jackson (Iowa State) and guard Nojus Indrusaitis (Iowa State), along with three rising freshmen: international prospect Henry Lau (Sydney Kings), Omari Witherspoon (St. John’s College) and Kieran Mullen (St. Thomas More).

“Barry is a dynamic athlete who has continued to improve throughout his college career,” Capel said in a statement. “He can score at all three levels and also impacts the game with his rebounding ability from the wing. We believe he has the ability to make another big jump in his game, and we are eager to help him maximize his talent here at Pitt.”

Dunning, a two-time Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year at McGill-Toolen Catholic in Mobile, was a three-star prospect and the No. 74 overall recruit in the Class of 2022. He committed to Arkansas, and in his lone season under then-coach Eric Musselman, he played limited time in 17 games for the Sweet 16-bound Razorbacks.

He totaled 65 minutes over 15 games the next season off the bench at UAB before transferring to South Alabama in search of playing time.

It was a game-changing decision.

Dunning was first-team All-Sun Belt Conference after he averaged a team-high 15.1 points along with seven rebounds and two assists last season as the Jaguars went 21-12.

Dunning had 25 double-digit scoring outings last season in 32 games. He broke a South Alabama record with a 46-point outburst against Texas State in February.

Now making a fourth stop in his college career, the door is open for Dunning to take the reins for an underperforming Pitt program.

“I want my leadership and showing up every day being the leader not verbally but through actions to trickle down to everyone else,” Dunning said.

Four of the five top scorers from last year’s team are gone, which leaves the door open for him to step into a scoring role.

“At my old school, I had to get to my spots, and I can pull up and make jumpers and catch and shoot 3s,” Dunning said.

Dunning will likely slot into the wing position for Pitt, replacing standout guard/forward Zach Austin, who exhausted his eligibility.

It’s been two years since Pitt played in the NCAA Tournament, where it won two games before falling to Xavier. The Panthers had a disappointing finish to the 2024-25 season. After starting 12-2, the Panthers limped to a 5-13 mark down the stretch.

Dunning hopes his experience in big games and the NCAA Tournament environment, even though he didn’t play much in the games, will be valuable with his new team.