The 30-year-old spent much of his childhood separated from his father and often had to make ends meet by hustling, gambling, and challenging other kids in basketball games for money.
Highlights
- Kris Dunn experienced a turbulent early life due to his mother’s legal issues and their frequent relocations. He and his brother had to fend for themselves at a young age.
- After several years, Kris reconnected with his father, John, which proved to be a life-changing event. His father eventually gained custody, providing stability and support.
- Despite the challenges, Kris Dunn excelled in basketball, becoming a standout player in high school and college and eventually making it to the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kris Dunn, the Los Angeles Clippers guard known for his defensive prowess and playmaking abilities, has been making headlines for his steady contributions to the team during the 2024-25 NBA season.
Averaging 7.9 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game, Dunn has become a reliable presence on the court, showcasing the skills that have defined his career since being drafted fifth overall in 2016.
However, Dunn’s journey to the NBA was far from smooth, marked by a tumultuous childhood shaped by family struggles and personal challenges.
Kris Dunn is off the injury report and available vs lakers tomorrow after missing 2 weeks pic.twitter.com/FHb5DILRtt
— ooooobk (@FeelLikeOBK) February 4, 2025
Kris Dunn Had A Turbulent Early Life
Kris Dunn was born on March 18, 1994, in New London, Connecticut, to John Seldon and Pia Dunn.
His early years were marked by instability, as his mother, Pia, faced frequent legal troubles, including charges for credit card fraud, writing bad checks, and driving under the influence.
When Kris was just a year old, Pia fled with him and his older brother, John Jr., to Alexandria, Virginia, leaving their father behind.
Life in Virginia was far from stable. Pia’s legal issues often led to her spending time in jail, leaving Kris and his brother to fend for themselves.
The boys resorted to hustling to survive, with John Jr. gambling and Kris challenging local kids to basketball games for money.
At one point, they even sold their clothes to make ends meet.
The brothers kept their struggles hidden, fearing they would be separated if authorities found out.
Kris Dunn lived on his own in fourth grade and played 1-on-1 for money to eat.
— Cycle (@bycycle) December 19, 2017
Now he's a star in the making. pic.twitter.com/Xq4QVH24R5
Their father, John Seldon, spent years searching for his sons after Pia disappeared with them.
When Pia was incarcerated for an extended period, she finally reached out to John, allowing him to reconnect with his children.
Kris was around 10 years old when he first met his father, a moment he described as emotional and life-changing.
In an interview, Kris said,
It definitely took time. It wasn’t like he came in and we were laughing right away. We had to get to know one another, to know each other’s tendencies and how we go about our everyday lives. It really almost took us years to finally get that rhythm, but I think what broke the ice is we both love sports, and we’re both high level competitors, and we’re very emotional when we play sports. I think that broke the ice.
sportsmockery.com
John eventually gained custody of the boys and brought them back to Connecticut, where they began to rebuild their lives.
John Seldon Remarried And Has Two Daughters
Kris Dunn’s family expanded when his father remarried Audra Seldon, who became a supportive stepmother to Kris and his brother.
Audra and John had two daughters together, Ariana and Ashley, and Audra also had a son, Rashad Pauley, from a previous relationship.
Despite the challenges of blending families, Kris has spoken fondly of his stepmother, calling her a “great woman” who played a significant role in his upbringing.
Kris Dunn of @PCAthletics and his family at Senior Night… #GoFriars #pcmbb pic.twitter.com/4XEa1zUPMZ
— Ken Jancef (@kenjancef) March 3, 2016
Today, Kris maintains a close relationship with his family, often crediting his father and stepmother for providing the stability and support he needed to succeed.
His siblings, including his older brother John Jr., remain an important part of his life, though Kris prefers to keep his personal life private.
Kris Dunn Has Had An Illustrious Basketball Career
Kris Dunn’s basketball journey began at New London High School in Connecticut, where he quickly established himself as one of the nation’s top high school players.
By his senior year, he was ranked first in Connecticut and 24th nationally, earning accolades such as McDonald’s All-American and Parade All-American honors.
Kris Dunn was a stud in college
— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) March 21, 2024
2X Big East Player of the Year
Consensus All American
2X Big Easy DPOY
Kris got to the NCAA Tournament twice in his four years with Providence, Happy March Madness pic.twitter.com/33ZHweO5Ix
After high school, Dunn attended Providence College, where he played for the Friars from 2012 to 2016.
Despite suffering shoulder injuries early in his college career, Dunn bounced back to become a two-time Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
He averaged 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists during his standout junior season, solidifying his status as a top NBA prospect.
Kris Dunn is a mean defender…
— NBA University (@NBA_University) November 29, 2024
6'9 wingspan, very strong, & great hands, which makes him a TOUGH on-ball defender. Notable attention to detail in team defense, sprints in transition, consistently tags cutters, jams outlets, scrambles hard, jumps passing lanes. Winning player! pic.twitter.com/EpSvN7rBhv
Dunn was selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Over the years, he has played for several teams, including the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, and Utah Jazz, before joining the Los Angeles Clippers in 2024.
Known for his defensive skills, Dunn led the league in steal percentage during the 2019-20 season and has consistently been a reliable playmaker and perimeter defender.
Additional Information
- Kris Dunn and his girlfriend, Megan, welcomed their first child, a son named Lennox, in October 2018.
- While playing for the Chicago Bulls, Kris Dunn organized donation events and contributed to community programs on the south side of Chicago.
- Kris Dunn frequently engages with youth basketball programs, offering mentorship and support to young athletes.
