A Dunn Deal?

Remember when forward Chris Dunn, dubbed the "Matrix" by his teammates because he seemed to be everywhere on the floor, left the University of Arizona after failing to qualify academically?

It's a mere two months before the opening tip-off, and the University of Arizona men's hoops team has suffered its first major setback of the season with the departure of one of its few returning big men.

The Wildcats will be without the services of forward Chris Dunn. A 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman out of Hobbs, N.M., Dunn is no longer enrolled at the UA, making him ineligible to play this season...Regarded by most to be the most athletic of all Wildcat recruits, Dunn's exodus leaves the Wildcats lacking depth, with only eight scholarship players returning for the 2003-04 season.

Dunn subsequently enrolled at Pima Community College in Tucson before transferring to Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, California and, finally, settling on Mesa Community College in Arizona. All the while, he remained a hot commodity in the eyes of Division I coaches around the country.

Dunn's mother Annie said she receives at least two calls each night from various programs inquiring about her son.

After considering several schools, in April of 2004 Chris committed to play for the University of New Mexico and coach Ritchie McKay starting in the fall of 2005.

Dunn made the decision last week and told [his uncle Vince] Taylor on Friday. "He seemed real upbeat about it," Taylor said. "He knows what it feels like to play in The Pit and how much Albuquerque fans love basketball."

To prepare, Dunn continued to play basketball. This past month, he joined Mesa in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Jamboree and was named the team's starting power forward. The future seemed bright.

But then, oops, he did it again.

Former Hobbs High School star Chris Dunn, the highest-rated recruit coming to the University of New Mexico men's basketball team next season, has quit the team at Mesa Community College in Arizona.

Lobos coach Ritchie McKay said it is unlikely he will continue to recruit the 6-foot-8 forward...Dunn, who graduated high school in 2002, has yet to play a minute of college basketball.

"I don't know if the motivation and desire is still there," [Mesa coach Alton] Lister said Monday. "This is two years, 2 1/2 years since he's played. The longer away from the game, the harder it is to get your body back into the routine."