Dante Cunningham

Career Highlights:

Appeared in a school-record 139 career games, with 104 starts. One of six players in Villanova history to reach 1,300 points and 800 rebounds.

Senior (2008-09):

Big East Most Improved Player and All-Big East Second Team. Finalists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy. Led the Wildcats in scoring and rebounding. Named to NCAA Tournament All-East Regional Team. Had 12 points and 12 boards in loss to UNC at Final Four. Notched ninth double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds in win over Duke in Sweet Sixteen. Scored 18 points and added 10 rebounds in win over UCLA in second round of NCAA Tournament. Tied a career-high with 31 points to go with nine rebounds in win over Syracuse. Tallied 15 points, five rebounds and two blocks in win over No. 3 Pitt. Recorded 21 points and 13 rebounds in a career-high 45 minutes against Seton Hall.

Junior (2007-08):

The lone player to start every game. Led the Wildcats in rebounding (6.5 rpg) and finished second in scoring (10.4 ppg) and minutes (30.0 mpg). Named Second Team All-Philadelphia Big Five. Delivered 10 points and seven rebounds in NCAA Sweet Sixteen loss to Kansas. Averaged 12.5 points in the two Big East Tournament games. Produced five double-doubles on the season. Reached double figures in scoring 19 times and in rebounding eight times.

Sophomore (2006-07):

Averaged 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds. Started 27 of 33 games. Led Villanova in field goal percentage (.513). Contributed 12 points and nine rebounds in Big East Tournament first round win over DePaul. Recorded a season-high 21 points in win over Syracuse. Had 19 points, nine rebounds and three steals in win over Notre Dame.

Freshman (2005-06):

Named Philadelphia Big Five Rookie of the Year. Played in all 33 games, averaging 19.1 minutes. Grabbed seven rebounds and two steals in NCAA First Round vs. Monmouth. Hit a layup off an in-bounds feed with 3.0 seconds left to clinch win over Cincinnati. Chipped in with seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocked shots in 24 minutes in win over UConn.

Strengths: Solid athlete who showed major improvement throughout his career. Did most of his damage near the basket, but showed an improving face-up game as a senior. Nice form on his jumper with a smooth release. Moves well without the ball, and plays with energy.

Personal: Sister, Davalyn Cunningham, played in the WNBA. Son of Searcy Blakenship and Ron Cunningham, both of whom served in the United States Air Force before retiring from active duty.