Damian Dunn officially joins Pitt backcourt, joins 2 returning guards, freshman Brandin Cummings

Pitt coach Jeff Capel said Friday he likes how his backcourt is evolving after the departure of Bub Carrington, who intends to enter the 2024 NBA Draft. The fourth piece at guard was put in place after Pitt officially announced the addition of 6-foot-5 guard Damian Dunn, formerly of Houston and Temple.

“Damian is an experienced guard with the ability to really score the ball,” Capel said in a statement. “He is highly competitive with a big frame to get to his spots on offense as well as guard multiple positions on the other end of the floor.

“We targeted him early in the transfer process and are excited to have him join our program. I really like how our backcourt is coming together with the return of (Ishmael Legget) and Jaland (Lowe) as well as the additions of Damian and (incoming freshman) Brandin (Cummings).”

Overall, Pitt will return four of its top six scorers from a year ago.

Dunn has recorded 1,288 points, 373 rebounds and 191 assists in 109 career games. He averaged double-figure scoring in each of his final three seasons at Temple and was a two-time All-American Athletic Conference selection. He played last season at Houston, averaging 6.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game in helping the Cougars (32-5) win the Big 12 regular-season championship, earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and reach the Sweet 16.

During his redshirt junior season at Temple, Dunn finished 11th in the AAC in scoring (15.4 points per game) and ninth in free throw percentage (81.6%, 146 of 179). He scored in double figures 22 times, including a career-high 38 points against Vanderbilt.

In 2021-22, he led Temple in scoring (14.9, tied for sixth in the AAC) and free throw percentage (83.4%, 121 of 145, fifth in the AAC).