Well-traveled Alabama high school star hoping his next stop will be in the NBA

While Alabama standout Labaron Philon is currently capturing headlines as a projected first-round pick in the upcoming June 23 NBA Draft, he isn't the only former star from the Mobile area looking to make a splash at the professional level. Barry Dunning Jr., a former standout at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, is currently grinding through the predraft process, auditioning for teams in hopes of securing a spot in the league.

A Long Journey to the Pros

Dunning’s path to the NBA draft has been anything but linear. Over the last five seasons, the 6-foot-6 forward has suited up for four different college programs, including stops at Arkansas, UAB, and South Alabama before landing at Pittsburgh for the 2025-26 season. During his time as a Panther, Dunning proved his worth by averaging 12.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

"I came a long way," Dunning said following a workout with the Indiana Pacers. "My journey is my testament. I just told myself just one step forward. It’s a dark forest, but as long as you see your next step, you’ll be all right."

From Mobile to the National Stage

Dunning burst onto the scene in 2021-22 at McGill-Toolen, where he was named Mr. Basketball for Alabama and repeated as the state’s Gatorade Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year after averaging 25.3 points and 12.9 rebounds. After a quiet start to his college career, a homecoming to South Alabama sparked a turnaround, as he helped lead the Jaguars to a Sun Belt Conference regular-season title, highlighted by an impressive 80 points across two overtime games against Texas State.

His development continued at Pittsburgh, where he evolved into a key contributor, hitting his stride from behind the arc with 34.5 percent shooting. Dunning describes his game as that of a versatile "three-level scorer" and a "3-and-D guy" capable of defending multiple positions. He emphasizes that his value lies in the intangibles—effort, defensive intensity, and team-first basketball—traits he credits to his high school coach, Phillip Murphy.

Eyes on the Draft

As the basketball world shifts its focus toward the NBA Draft, which is set for June 23-24 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Dunning remains committed to his daily improvement. Though the Indiana Pacers are one of the few teams without a current selection, Dunning expressed admiration for the franchise's culture and grit during his recent visit.

"I’m going to keep searching to try to be better each and every day just 1 percent," Dunning said. Whether he finds his next home in Indiana or elsewhere, the former Alabama star is ready to bring his brand of hard-nosed, resilient play to the professional ranks.