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Kris Dunn leaves Providence’s exhibition game with shoulder injury

Karvel Anderson, Kris Dunn

Robert Morris guard Karvel Anderson (15) attempts to steal the ball from Providence guard Kris Dunn (3) during the second half of a second-round NIT college basketball game in Providence, R.I., Monday, March 25, 2013. Providence won 77-68. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)

AP

Kris Dunn joined Providence as a McDonald’s All-American, and was suppose to share a back court with Ricky Ledo last season. Unfortunately for Ed Cooley and his Friars that never happened. Ledo didn’t play a single game in a PC uniform, and even before Ledo was ruled ineligible, Dunn was sidelined with a shoulder injury that delayed his collegiate debut until mid-December.

Even without Ledo, Providence is expecting big things from a healthy Dunn in his sophomore season, as he teams up with senior guard Bryce Cotton, who led the Big East Conference in scoring last season at 19.4 points per game. However, Dunn may have suffered another setback. During Saturday night, in an exhibition game with Division III Rhode Island College, Dunn left midway through the first half after hurting the same shoulder that he previously injured, according to Kevin McNamara of the Providence Journal.

“We’re just really nervous because it’s the same shoulder that he tore. He’s very, very sore. I’m worried about it,” Cooley said after the 97-65 win over RIC.

Dunn was taken to the locker room after he fell in front of the team’s bench. He made his return from the locker room in the second half, though he did not check back into the game. According to McNamara, Dunn was favoring his shoulder during timeouts.

The 6-foot-3 point guard underwent surgery on his right shoulder in the summer of 2012 to fix a torn labrum. He was able to appear in 25 games for the Friars in his freshman season, averaging 5.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.

Providence is an up-and-coming program under Cooley, who entering his third season. He brings back not only Cotton, but forwards Kadeem Betts and LaDontae Henton. The Friars also add newcomers Brandon Austin, a top-50 recruit, and Tyler Harris and Carson Desrosiers, who both sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. Providence has the talent to surprise people in the new Big East, but in order to do that, Dunn needs to be healthy.

The Friars open the season at home on Friday night against Boston College.

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