Kara Dunn: USC’s Under-the-Radar Power Guard
There’s a quiet fire building inside the walls of Galen Center—and her name is Kara Dunn.
While headlines focus on JuJu Watkins, Jazzy Davidson, Kennedy Smith, Londynn Jones, and Yakiya Milton, one of USC’s most intriguing additions is still flying under the radar. Kara Dunn, the 6’0” guard from Georgia Tech, is stepping into the Big Ten with a résumé that deserves far more attention: three collegiate double-doubles, a 33-point game, All-ACC honors, and a style of play built for big moments.
From Small-Town Star to ACC Force
Dunn’s journey started in Dallas, Georgia, where she led Mount Paran Christian to its first-ever state championship, dropping 30 points in the title game. Her high school career was filled with accolades—GHSA Region Player of the Year, Atlanta Tipoff Club Metro Player of the Year, AJC All-State—but she was still overlooked nationally.
That chip never left her shoulder.
At Georgia Tech, Dunn proved herself immediately. She climbed from a 7.6-point freshman to a dependable leader—averaging 15.5 PPG and 5.8 RPG over back-to-back seasons, shooting nearly 50% from the floor and over 80% at the line. She became a two-time All-ACC selection and a player who showed up every night.
Double-double highlights:
11 points + 13 rebounds vs. Georgia State
16 points + 14 rebounds vs. Nebraska
33 points + 10 rebounds vs. Virginia Tech
She nearly added more—like her 16 points and 9 rebounds in the ACC Tournament against Virginia Tech.
Coach Speak: IQ, Versatility, and “Winning DNA”
Georgia Tech head coach Nell Fortner praised her ability to steady a team:
“She’s got a really high basketball IQ. There’s not a lot she can’t do on the floor … she brings a calmness to us.”
When Lindsay Gottlieb brought Dunn to USC, she was clear on why:
“Her versatility allows her to score and defend at a high level. She moves without the ball, she’s efficient, competitive, can create for herself and others. Quite simply, she’s a winning player … thoughtful, selfless, and mature.”
How Dunn Fits in USC’s System
Gottlieb’s 2025–26 Trojans will run a pro-style offense—quicker pace, better spacing, and interchangeable guards and wings to mimic the next level. Dunn fits seamlessly:
Off-ball instincts: She’s a natural cutter, creating scoring lanes without needing the ball.
Catch-and-shoot ability: At 35% from three, she can stretch defenses.
Physicality: She rebounds like a forward, an important complement to Kennedy Smith and Yakiya Milton inside.
Clutch DNA: Big scoring nights at Georgia Tech show she thrives in pressure situations.
She doesn’t need to dominate possessions; she makes possessions better.
The Hidden Gems
What makes Kara Dunn special is often subtle:
She’s a “power guard”—physical, versatile, and unafraid to mix it up.
Her rebounding numbers are unusual for her position, showing toughness and instincts.
She’s efficient—no wasted movements, no wasted shots.
Her maturity and quiet leadership will help balance a team full of big personalities.
Why Fans Should Pay Attention
Kara Dunn’s story is about value—not flash, not hype, just winning plays that shift games. She’s the type of player who makes everything around her better. For USC fans, this might feel familiar—like when Mackenzie Forbes quietly became one of the Trojans’ most dependable weapons.
But Dunn’s style is even more versatile. Think Alyssa Thomas-like: strong, smart, and relentless, with the ability to fill multiple roles on both ends of the floor. She can attack, rebound, facilitate, and defend, all while staying composed.
Simply put, don’t sleep on Kara Dunn. When she steps on the floor at Galen Center, fans might realize they’ve been sitting on a gem all along—and when the Big Ten season heats up, it could be Dunn’s steady hand and fearless play that make the difference.
