Columbus, Ohio - When Kris Dunn stepped onto the NCAA tournament stage Friday night, he wore Providence across his chest and New London in his heart.

Dunn takes pride in representing his college and community.

"That's my city, I love New London," Dunn said.

To be another in a long line of success stories from southeastern Connecticut means a great deal to the former New London High School star.

Dunn, Providence's versatile point guard, became the fourth area athlete to play in the NCAA men's basketball tournament since 2003 on Friday night when the sixth-seeded Friars lost to No. 11 Dayton in second-round action at Nationwide Arena, 66-53.

His first NCAA tournament appearance came against a program that Norwich Free Academy graduate Mark Jones once played for and went to the NCAA tournament with in 2003 and 2004. Former Whaler Tyson Wheeler competed for Rhode Island twice during March Madness while Stonington graduate Alex Jensen was a reserve for two of Vermont's postseason trips (2004, 2005).

It's a safe bet that people in New London were glued to televisions on Friday, just like they were during Wheeler's postseason run to the regional finals in 1998.

"It's huge for the community because we come from a small town," Wheeler said earlier this week. "It's a small town that everybody thinks everybody knows where New London is. They might know about you in Connecticut, but they don't know about you in New York City or Pennsylvania.

"It's a chance for everybody to brag about where you're from. You give your community the exposure and it's like they are there with you."

During his college career, Dunn's remained firmly connected to his hometown roots. Providence's close proximity to his Montville home played a role in his decision to join the Friar program.

"I go back home a lot," Dunn said. "It's only 45 minutes away, I go see my family. I know a lot of people in New London. I just go to see everybody. Everybody wishes me the best. Right now, everything is just a blur. … I'm just soaking it all in."

Coach Ed Cooley understands what it's like to be a hometown hero. He was born in Providence and graduated from the city's Central High School.

"I think part of the reason why Kris chose Providence was to have a New England flavor," Cooley said. "I'm living a dream. People are going to give you the benefit of the doubt because you're one of their own. Win or lose, they're with you.

"The criticism will be there, but deep down inside when you come from an area and you're having success and you handle yourself the right way people are going to cheer for you every night."

Dunn embraces his status as another former Eastern Connecticut Conference athlete reaching an elite level in his sport. He welcomes the opportunity to be a role model like others before him.

"We've got a lot of great guys," Dunn said. "We've got Rajai Davis, Jordan Reed and Matt Harvey. We've got a lot of role models.

"Just for me to be one of the role models that come from New London is just amazing. I'm just trying to show the kids no matter what you've gone through in life that you can always do something with yourself."

Of course, Harvey is a Fitch High School graduate and already an all-star pitcher for the New York Mets. Davis appeared in the major league baseball playoffs for the Detroit Tigers last season. Reed played tight end for the Washington Redskins while his brother David also has an NFL resume.

Dunn also is on course to enter the professional ranks. He's projected to be a first-round draft pick this year if he decides to leave school early. But that's a decision for another day.

With every dominating performance, he's putting himself, the PC program and New London on the map.

"New London is very big on tradition," said Wheeler, a Fairfield assistant coach who lives in Norwich. "So I'm sure when Kris is playing he's representing New London and talking about New London because he probably feels the same way. We don't get the respect that other kids may get coming from bigger cities.

"We play with more a chip on our shoulder to prove that we're just as good if not better than guys that come from big cities, California, New York, Philadelphia, D.C. and so forth. We have a point to prove that you can come from a small city and still get great exposure. It's happening now with Kris."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe