Dunbar 'done' after Auburn visit, commitment

AUBURN | It didn’t take long for Malik Dunbar to realize he wanted to finish his college career at Auburn.

Dunbar, a junior college transfer from College of Central Florida, was less than 24 hours into his visit to Auburn when he made the announcement.

“I decided to be part of the Auburn family,” Dunbar said of his Saturday night commitment. “It’s a close-knit community; everybody is family. I just felt it was the best opportunity for me.”

Dunbar spent the weekend in Auburn on an official visit. He spent time throughout his stay with Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, associate head coach Chuck Person and assistants Harris Adler and Steven Pearl.

“Coach (Bruce) Pearl is a good coach and a great guy,” Dunbar said. “I feel like he is going to take me under his wing. And Coach Person, he’s already told me a little something on my shot that made it better.”

Dunbar developed bonds with the coaches, but it was the players, guys like player-host Horace Spencer, who had the biggest impact on Dunbar’s decision.

“When I played open gym with the boys, I just felt like the team really wanted me to come here,” Dunbar said. “I felt the love from the team.”

Dunbar plans to give back to the team, the coaches and even the fans when he arrives at Auburn in July.

“I’m going to work hard when I get here,” Dunbar said. “I don’t want to let the fans down. I’m going to give them all I have. I’m a natural 3, but Auburn wants me to play the 2 and the 3. I’m aggressive enough that I can make an impact immediately.”

Dunbar, who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 230 pounds, committed to Auburn over offers from Ole Miss and Arkansas-Little Rock, among others. He visited Ole Miss last weekend, but will not take any other visits.

“I’m done,” Dunbar said.

Dunbar joined five-star center Austin Wiley, four-star forward Chuma Okeke and four-star point guard Davion Mitchell in Auburn’s 2017 recruiting class.