From Panthers to Pros
Barry Dunning Jr., a forward who concluded his collegiate career at the University of Pittsburgh, has officially signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Portland Trail Blazers following the 2026 NBA Draft.
During the 2025‑26 season he averaged 12.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 34.5 percent beyond the arc, while also ranking second on the team with 28 blocked shots.
He started 27 of 33 games, including a stretch of 27 consecutive starts, and posted two double‑digit rebound performances in ACC play, highlighted by a 26‑point, 10‑rebound effort against Florida State and a 15‑point, 12‑rebound showing versus Cal.
One of his most memorable moments came in the ACC Tournament when he logged 16 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks while playing the full 40 minutes in a victory over Stanford.
The Exhibit 10 Opportunity
The contract is a one‑year, non‑guaranteed minimum salary that includes an invitation to summer league, training camp and the preseason, giving him a chance to earn a roster spot, a two‑way contract or a place on the Trail Blazers’ G League affiliate.
Portland’s front office views the move as a low‑risk, high‑upside addition, hoping the former Pitt standout can bring energy and interior defense to a roster that is still shaping its depth heading into the new season.