New York — Kris Dunn played in his share of pressure-packed basketball games during his star-studded career.

Nothing could prepare him for a tension-filled NBA Draft night.

As each draft selection passed by without Dunn hearing his name called, he tried to stay calm during the biggest moment of his life.

"You just get anxious," Dunn said. "You get nervous. You don't know what team is going to pick you."

The drama ended fairly early for Dunn, the former New London High School great and All-American out of Providence College.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Dunn fifth overall. Dunn was the first point guard chosen.

"Once my name got heard, you could see me and my family were very emotional," Dunn said during the post-draft announcement press conference at the Barclays Center. "It took a long time to get to this point, and my dream is finally real.

"I'm just happy I made my family proud today."

After Boston, which was rumored to be a landing spot for Dunn, opted for Jaylen Brown at No. 3, the next logical place was Minnesota.

John Seldon, Dunn's father, had a strong feeling that Minnesota would pick Dunn.

"When he wasn't picked third, I knew he was going fifth," Seldon said. "We talked to (coach Tom) Thibodeau last week and he really wanted Kris. ... They say he's a really good defensive guy. I hope he falls in love with him.

"I'm so happy for Kris. He worked very hard and went through a lot in life. Now is the time for him to enjoy himself and do what he likes doing, playing basketball."

Dunn, who believes his biggest strength is his tenacious defense, seems like a perfect fit for an up-and-coming franchise loaded with talented young players, including Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. Ricky Rubio, a fifth-round draft choice in 2009, was the starting point guard last season.

"I've been talking to Karl Towns through the draft process because he's part of the agency that we're with, and he's a great guy," Dunn said. "He gave me a lot of advice through the process. They're a young team, very gifted. ... They have a lot of great pieces, and I'm just coming in ready to work."

Leave it to Dunn to remember his New London roots on draft night.

He had pieces of his New London High school basketball jersey stitched into his dark suit jacket, with "Whalers" on one side and his number "3" on the other, both in green and gold.

Dunn is the first New London grad to be taken in the NBA Draft since guard Tyson Wheeler of Rhode Island was selected in the second round by the Toronto Raptors in 1998.

He also declared that he won't be the last professional athlete to come out of the Eastern Connecticut Conference. New London will have three graduates playing in the pro ranks, as he joins Jordan Reed, a tight end for Washington, and Cleveland Indians outfielder Rajai Davis. Other famous local products include Fitch High School graduate Matt Harvey who pitches for the New York Mets.

"This is just the start," said Dunn, who had Reed as his quarterback during his football days at New London. "There's so many great talents all over the ECC, Groton and Waterford. So I'm not going to be the first of them."

Dunn, the highest Friar chosen in the draft since Marvin Barnes went second overall in 1974, will head to Minnesota Friday morning to begin his new life. His father also is making the trip.

He's ready for anything. He's looking forward to challenging the best NBA point guards.

"I understand it's a business," Dunn said. "Whatever I have to do, I've got to do it."

g.keefe@theday.com