Blazers grab another small forward with 33rd pick
Thursday, June 25 | 8:14 p.m.
BY BRIAN HENDRICKSON
The Blazers took another forward with the 33rd pick, this time grabbing Dante Cunningham from Villanova.
The 6-foot-8 Cunningham was named the Big East's Most Improved Player last season, when he earned a spot on the All-Big East Second Team after averaging 16.1 points per game, nearly six more than in any other season of his career.
Dante Cunningham
Position: Forward
Height/Weight: 6-8 (2.03 m) / 230 (104.3 kg)
Birthdate: April 22, 1987 (Clinton, Md.)
High School: Potomac HS (Oxon Hill, Md.)
College: Villanova
Season G GS FGM FGA PCT FTM FTA PCT REB AST STL BL PTS AVG 2005-06 33 4 29 62 .468 13 33 .394 132 25 27 19 71 2.2 2006-07 33 27 99 193 .513 88 113 .779 177 24 42 20 287 8.7 2007-08 35 35 142 261 .544 80 116 .690 226 37 46 31 364 10.4 2008-09 38 38 244 465 .525 124 178 .697 284 47 47 47 612 16.1 Totals 139 104 514 981 .524 305 440 .693 819 133 162 117 1334 9.6
Totals: 1-for-3 (.333).
Career Highlights: Appeared in a school-record 139 career games, with 104 starts. One
of six players in Villanova history to reach 1,300 points and 800 rebounds.
Senior (2008-09):Big East Most Improved Player and All-Big East Second Team. Finalists
for the Oscar Robertson Trophy. Led the Wildcats in scoring and rebounding. Named to
NCAA Tournament All-East Regional Team. Had 12 points and 12 boards in loss to UNC at
Final Four. Notched ninth double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds in
win over Duke in Sweet Sixteen. Scored 18 points and added 10 rebounds in win over
UCLA in second round of NCAA Tournament. Tied a career-high with 31 points to go with
nine rebounds in win over Syracuse. Tallied 15 points, five rebounds and two blocks in win
over No. 3 Pitt. Recorded 21 points and 13 rebounds in a career-high 45 minutes against
Seton Hall.
Junior (2007-08): The lone player to start every game. Led the Wildcats in rebounding (6.5
rpg) and finished second in scoring (10.4 ppg) and minutes (30.0 mpg). Named Second
Team All-Philadelphia Big Five. Delivered 10 points and seven rebounds in NCAA Sweet
Sixteen loss to Kansas. Averaged 12.5 points in the two Big East Tournament games.
Produced five double-doubles on the season. Reached double figures in scoring 19 times
and in rebounding eight times.
Sophomore (2006-07): Averaged 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds. Started 27 of 33 games.
Led Villanova in field goal percentage (.513). Contributed 12 points and nine rebounds in
Big East Tournament first round win over DePaul. Recorded a season-high 21 points in win
over Syracuse. Had 19 points, nine rebounds and three steals in win over Notre Dame.
Freshman (2005-06): Named Philadelphia Big Five Rookie of the Year. Played in all 33
games, averaging 19.1 minutes. Grabbed seven rebounds and two steals in NCAA First
Round vs. Monmouth. Hit a layup off an in-bounds feed with 3.0 seconds left to clinch win
over Cincinnati. Chipped in with seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocked
shots in 24 minutes in win over UConn.
Strengths: Solid athlete who showed major improvement throughout his career. Did most
of his damage near the basket, but showed an improving face-up game as a senior. Nice
form on his jumper with a smooth release. Moves well without the ball, and plays with
energy.
Personal: Sister, Davalyn Cunningham, played in the WNBA. Son of Searcy Blakenship
and Ron Cunningham, both of whom served in the United States Air Force before retiring
from active duty.
