It's a typical winter afternoon at Alumni Hall, where Kris Dunn is working up a good sweat before Providence College basketball practice.

Undergraduate student assistant coach God Shammgod is also there, putting Dunn through some drills.

Shammgod was once in Dunn's position - a rising star in the college basketball world preparing to lead Providence College into the NCAA tournament.

Now the former New York City basketball legend is back at college finishing his undergraduate degree and serving as a mentor to Dunn and other Friars. Their relationship has grown during their countless hours on the court together.

Shammgod has played a significant role in Dunn's development.

"It's more than just trainer-point guard." Shammgod said. "He's like my little brother, so I take my mentorship seriously by trying to give him good advice, helping him see things he probably doesn't see on the court.

"The one thing that's good about him, he's a sponge. Whatever you tell him, the next play he'll do it. It's just amazing the way he catches on."

Dunn, the first Friar to be named the Big East Conference Player of the Year, will play in his first NCAA tournament game Friday night in Columbus, Ohio. Providence faces Dayton, a 56-55 winner late Wednesday night over Boise State.

After a second shoulder injury sidelined him for all but four games last season, Dunn watched from the sidelines last March when Providence nearly upset North Carolina before falling 79-77 in the NCAA tournament.

"Now we're back at it and I'm finally on the court, so it's going to be even more exciting," Dunn said. "It's great just to be out there with my teammates. It's going to be enjoyable. Hopefully, we advance. … Last year was just amazing to get there. This is going to be a business trip this time."

Hard work is at the foundation of Dunn's success.

Part of his recent workout consisted of practicing driving to his left. Each time he did the drill, Dunn gradually increased his speed. Shammgod stood close by making suggestions. An interested spectator - Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge - watched from the stands.

Dunn has seen highlights of Shammgod's glory days. They both earned McDonald's All-America status in high school, Dunn at New London and Shammgod at LaSalle Academy in Manhattan.

"He's amazing," Dunn said. "He's been through it all. He played college basketball and he played in the NBA, so right now it's just a learning experience for me. … Every day I'm trying to get in as much work as I can. … He's taught me everything. I just appreciate having him around me."

Considering it's his first full season at PC after two injury-plagued years, Dunn has made incredible progress.

Shammgod marvels at Dunn's off-the-charts athleticism and all-around skills. Dunn's defensive prowess - he's the Big East Defensive Player of the Year - also is impressive.

"He can already do everything, so it's just making everything a little bit smoother," Shammgod said.

Shammgod, a former point guard, encourages Dunn to have a short-term memory, so the sophomore can quickly shake off a bad turnover or rough shooting stretch. He's broken down how to play the pick-and-roll, something that Dunn's excelled at this season.

And he's shown Dunn his dazzling dribbling skills, which are still talked about 18 years removed from his two seasons at Providence. A 1997 NBA second-round draft pick, Shammgod played one season for Washington before continuing his professional career overseas.

Film sessions also are part of Dunn's routine.

Whatever it takes to elevate his game, Dunn will do it.

"He's just focused and listens," Shammgod said. "He watches a lot of film. He likes players like (Russell) Westbrook and John Wall. He's very similar to both of them. I just try to teach him just to read defense, read the opponents, how to split pick-and-rolls. The thing that he's got that nobody can teach him is God gave him the athletic ability.

"…. Every month he's better and better and better and better. I've been to his last game against Villanova, where he clearly was the best player in the court."

Dunn nearly rallied Providence to victory against fourth-ranked Villanova in the Big East semifinals Friday in New York. He scored the tying basket, but Villanova answered in the closing seconds to grab a 63-61 win.

In a typical stat sheet-stuffing performance, Dunn finished with 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. He followed Shammgod's pregame advice to be aggressive from start to finish.

Now Dunn will try to do what Shammgod did at PC, propel the Friars on a deep postseason run. With Shammgod at the helm, PC reached the 1997 Elite Eight before losing in overtime to eventual national champion Arizona.

It would be Shammgod's last game as a Friar, as he left school early for the NBA.

Shammgod sees the NBA in Dunn's future.

"I work with Kris every day," Shammgod said. "I know he's the best point guard in the country. It's without a doubt."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe