CJ Gunn didn’t mind the noise. In fact, for a 6-foot-7 guard who has spent his career navigating the high expectations of Indiana basketball, a few thousand boos at Hinkle Fieldhouse felt almost like a homecoming.
The DePaul senior, an Indianapolis native, secured the men’s 3-point shooting contest title at the College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships on Friday. Though, the victory was immediately clouded by a timing controversy. As the final shot sailed through the net to clinch the title, a replay on the jumbotron suggested the ball was still in Gunn’s hand when the buzzer sounded.
The crowd’s reaction was visceral. As the feed zoomed in on Gunn—a former Indiana University player now sporting the champion’s gold chain—the arena erupted in boos. For a moment, the hometown hero was the villain of his own city.
“I’m from Indiana. I don’t know why everybody was booing me like that,” Gunn said afterward, laughing off the reception. When asked if the reaction was a bit harsh for a local standout, he shrugged it off with a grin: “Yeah, yeah. I like it that way, though, man.”
A Full-Circle Moment in Indianapolis
Despite the friction of the final shot, the event served as a poignant coda to Gunn’s collegiate journey. Competing just a few miles from Lawrence North High School, Gunn returned to the environment where he first established himself as a premier talent. A 2022 graduate and record-setting Indiana All-Star, Gunn famously led the Lawrence North Wildcats to a Class 4A state runner-up finish in 2021.
Returning to Hinkle Fieldhouse, a cathedral of basketball in the heart of the city, allowed Gunn to close his college chapter in front of a sizable support system. His section was packed with family, friends, and a collection of coaches from every stage of his career.
From Bloomington to Chicago
Gunn’s path to the 3-point championship was not a linear one. After beginning his career at Indiana University, he transferred to DePaul University, where he evolved into a primary offensive weapon. Over two seasons with the Blue Devils, Gunn became the team’s leading scorer, appearing in 54 games with 44 starts.
His statistical footprint at DePaul reflects a consistent perimeter threat, averaging 13 points per game for a total of 832 points on 41.4% shooting. For Gunn, the transition between programs was as much about personal growth as it was about basketball.
“This has been an amazing experience. It feels like just yesterday was my first year of college,” Gunn said. “How much I’ve learned and the basketball player I became; all the lessons from transferring to being at IU my first year, it’s all just a blessing. I’m blessed to be here and to be able to be put in this position.”
The Road to the Title
Gunn’s entry into the contest was nearly an afterthought. He was a late addition to the field, receiving a late-night phone call from coach Chris Holtmann just a few days prior. The timing coincided with a planned trip home to visit family, making the invitation a seamless fit.
The competition itself began as a struggle. Gunn admitted to a slow start in the opening round, citing nerves as the primary cause for his initial inconsistency. However, that early friction served as a catalyst.
“That first round, I was a little nervous,” Gunn explained. “That’s why I didn’t shoot it that well. But that first round motivated me to do better.”
By the second round, Gunn found his rhythm, catching fire from the perimeter and shooting his way into the final championship round.
The Final Buzzer
Although Gunn claimed the men’s title, the evening ended with a poetic symmetry regarding the clock. In the overall championship round, Gunn faced off against Kansas’ Elle Evans. In a mirror image of his own controversial win, Gunn ultimately lost the overall title to Evans on a buzzer-beater.
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Games Played/Started | 54 / 44 |
| Total Points | 832 |
| Points Per Game | 13.0 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 41.4% |
“It’s a blessing to be able to come here and have the opportunity to pick up a basketball back in my hometown and put on a show for the crowd,” Gunn said. “And also to get to know these guys who are here with me tonight. Man, it’s just been an amazing opportunity.”
With his college career now concluded, Gunn leaves behind a legacy of resilience, having navigated the pressures of two major programs and returning to Indianapolis to leave a lasting, if slightly controversial, mark on Hinkle Fieldhouse.
As the collegiate off-season begins, attention will turn to the professional drafting process and free agency windows for graduating seniors. Official updates regarding the next steps for the 2026 graduating class are expected in the coming weeks.
Do you think the buzzer-beater should have counted? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
