PC Basketball Sees Both Dunn & Bentil Drafted by the NBA
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
PC Basketball Sees Both Dunn & Bentil Drafted by the NBA
Kris Dunn was drafted 5th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, however, Ben Bentil was not drafted until the 2nd round when the Celtics selected him 51st overall.
Kris Dunn
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTDunn made history, being only the 4th Friar to be a top 5 NBA pick, joining names like Jimmy Walker, Ernie DiGregorio and Marvin Barnes.
At Minnesota, Dunn will play for head coach Tom Thibodeau, former Celtics defensive coach, and play alongside Ricky Rubio, 2015-16 Rookie of the Year Karl Anthony Towns and veteran Kevin Garnett.
"We are excited, we think Kris is a great fit for us, we didn't know how it would unfold, there were a few god options for us and we thought that was the best one," said coach Thibodeau in his post draft press conference.
There was talk about a potential trade that would send Dunn to Chicago, however, Timberwolves brass including GM Scott Layden said afterword that they drafted Dunn with the intention of keeping him.
Like at Providence, Dunn will wear #3 for Minnesota.
Ben Bentil
"All I needed was the opportunity and I got it. Time to prove myself," Bentil said on his twitter account following the pick.
With the Celtics, Bentil will compete with players like Jae Crowder, Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olnyk as well as Boston's 3rd overall pick Jaylen Brown to try and earn a spot on the roster.
"I think the highlight of Ben is that he is a tough kid and he is a good shooter, we like his shooting. He can spread the floor and keep defenses honest,"said Celtics GM Danny Ainge in his post draft press conference.
What is Next
Both Dunn and Bentil are expected to compete in the NBA's Summer League which starts on July 9 for the Celtics and July 10 for the Timberwolves.
For Bentil, a good showing over the summer would be the first step in making an NBA roster.
Top Providence College NBA Draft Picks of All-Time
11.
MarShon Brooks
MarShon Brook was drafted 25th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics before they traded him to the New Jersey Nets. Brooks played three seasons in the NBA and played over seas.
In his career, Brooks played for the Nets, Celtics and Lakers and was named to the NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team in 2012.
In his rookie season with the Nets, Brooks averaged 12.6 points per game.
10. Tied
Dickey Simpkins
Simpkins was drafted 21st overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1994 NBA Draft and played 8 seasons in the league.
Simpkins averaged 4.2 points per game in his NBA Career playing for three teams including the Bulls, Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks.
Simpkins won three NBA Championshps while with the Bulls with a little help from Michael Jordan.
10. Tied
Eric Murdock
Murdock was drafted 21st overall by the Utah Jazz in the 1991 NBA Draft and played 9 seasons in the league.
In his career, Murdock averaged 10.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while playing for 7 teams including the Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Vancouver Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets and Lost Angeles Clippers.
9.
Eric Williams
Williams was drafted 14th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1995 NBA Draft and played 12 seasons in the league.
In his career, Williams averaged 8.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while playing for 7 different teams including the Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, New Jersey Nets, Toronot Raptors, San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte bobcats.
8.
Devin Carter
Carter was the 13th pick in the NBA draft in 2024 by the Sacramento Kings.
He had a masterful junior year at PC. He was named All-American and was the Big East's Player of the Year.
7.
Austin Croshere
Croshere was drafted 12th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 1997 NBA Draft and played 12 seasons in the league
In his career, he played for 5 teams including the Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs.
Croshere averaged 6.8 points and 4 rebounds per game in the NBA.
Photo: Golden State Warriors
6.
Otis Thorpe
Thorpe was drafted 9th overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Kansas City Kings and played 17 seasons in the league.
Thorpe won the NBA Championship in 1994 with the Houston Rockets and averaged 14 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in his career.
Thorpe played for 8 teams in his career, including the Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons, Vancouver Grizzlies, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets.
5.
Lenny Wilkens
Wilkens was drafted 6th overall in the 1960 NBA Draft by the St.Louis Hawks and played 15 seasons in the NBA.
Wilkens averaged 16.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game in his NBA Career while playing for the Hawks, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers.
Wilkens was inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1989 and then as a coach in 1998.
Photo: Wikipedia
4.
Kris Dunn
He was all-everything at Providence -- all-Big East and arguably the best point guard in college basketball his senior year. He was a two-time Big East Player of the Year.
He was selected 5th pick in the draft. He was picked by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Later, he was traded to the Chicago Bulls.
He is now with his fifth team in the NBA.
3. Tied
Ernie DiGregorio
Ernie D was drafted 3rd overall by the Buffalo Braves in the 1973 NBA Draft and played 5 seasons in the league before suffering a knee injury.
DiGregorio played for the Braves, the LA Lakers and the Boston Celtics and averaged 9.6 points per game and 5.1 assists per game.
He still holds the NBA rookie record for assists in a single game with 25.
Photo: NBA.com
2.
Marvin Barnes
Marvin Barnes was drafted 2nd overall in the 1974 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
However, he was also drafted 2nd overall by the Spirits of St. Louis in the 1974 ABA Draft which is what he opted for.
Barnes did end up playing in the NBA from 1976-1980 where he averaged 9.2 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game. Barnes played for the Pistons, the Buffalo Braves, Boston Celtics, and San Diego Clippers in the NBA.
1.
Jimmy Walker
Jimmy Walker was taken with the #1 overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in the 1967 draft.
Walker played 9 seasons in the NBA from 1967-1976 and averaged 16.7 points per game in the league, making the all-star team twice.
Walker also played for the Houston Rockets and Kansas City Kings in his career.
