Michael Dunigan

Michael Dunigan

Dunigan spent part of last year in Australia as an injury replacement on a short term contract with the Perth Wildcats, who are apparently considering bringing him back next year. He then finished the season in the Philippines, averaging 23.9 points, 15.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.4 blocks in 15 games for Air21 Express. Dunigan is an athlete, a finisher, a shotblocker and a rebounder, who is penalised for being 6'10 with no range and little ability to create for himself, wildly overstated "question marks" surrounding his conditioning (now history) and an improper benefits scandal (for which he was never charged), and a tendency to foul. If he can cure the latter and demonstrate an ability to protect the lane and play man-to-man post defense, he's more skilled then others - say, Chris Richard - to have recently made the NBA in this capacity.

Michael Dunigan - Dunigan is another technically eligible player, unexpectedly leaving Oregon last summer to begin a professional career with Hapoel Jerusalem. Once in Jerusalem, he never played - the team that sorely needed a centre with actual size, as opposed to the stream of power forwards they forced out at the position, didn't see fit to use him, seeing as he was a project. Limited to only one garbage minute, Dunigan was eventually loaned to Estonian team BC Kalev/Cramo (who, as a Baltic League/VTB United team, are a cut above the rest of Estonia), where things brightened up. In the Baltic League, Dunigan averaged 12.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.2 steals and 3.3 fouls in only 22 minutes, shooting 59% from the field and 71% from the line. An out-and-out post player who never steps away from there - on either end - Dunigan is very strong and sufficiently mobile, with some touch, and the ability and desire to always establish post position. Samardo Samuels made the NBA with a similar (if more polished) skillset, and Dunigan is taller and a better rebounder. He's worthy of a late second, presumably as a draft-and-stash.