Providence — Kris Dunn is a popular topic of conversation in basketball circles with each passing day leading up to the NBA Draft.

Pre-draft speculation and rumors continue to fly regarding where the former New London High School and Providence College great may land June 23, date of the 2016 draft.

He's widely projected to be top six selection.

Providence coach Ed Cooley has received positive feedback from his NBA connections about Dunn and his former teammate Ben Bentil, who announced Sunday that he'll turn pro and keep his name in the draft pool.

"The thing on both of them that all the personnel in the NBA have been really impressed with is how well they've interviewed, how they've carried themselves, the way which they talk about their teammates and their experience here at Providence College," Cooley said Monday while meeting with the media on campus. "That's really stood out to a lot of executives."

Dunn is considered the top point guard in the draft. He put together an impressive resume in his final season as a Friar, achieving consensus All-American status. He joined Patrick Ewing as the only two-time winners of both Big East player of the year and defensive player of the year awards. He averaged 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds 6.2 assists, and 2.5 steals.

Another of year of experience certainly improved Dunn's stock. He could have left after his sophomore season and likely been a first round pick but elected to stay in school to earn his degree. He graduated last week.

His decision is expected to pay off come draft night.

"It prepared him emotionally, physically, academically, economically," Cooley said. "Kris making that decision probably put a lot more zeroes next to his name, I can tell you that. All of us may have to take a loan from him."

With the Providence coaching staff's help, Dunn and Bentil took the Friar program to another level. Cooley already is reaping benefits on the recruiting trail.

"Ben and Kris have done a great job elevating our program to a national level," Cooley said.

Now the former Friar duo can make more program history. Providence has never had two first-round picks in the same draft. Otis Thorpe is the last Friar to crack the top 10, being selected ninth in 1984.

Bentil would need to improve his stock. He's projected to be a second round choice in several mock drafts.

There's no doubt about Dunn's lottery status. The consensus is that Brandon Ingram of Duke and Ben Simmons of LSU will be the top two picks, going to either Philadelphia or Los Angeles Lakers.

After that, just about anything could happen. Boston, Phoenix, Minnesota and New Orleans round out the top six. Trades could impact draft night selections.

When asked where he thought Dunn, 22, would go, Cooley responded: "They don't pay me for those type of things. He's going to be a lottery pick. He can be a top two, three, four, five pick. You've got to look at what teams need and what they already have.

"There's going to be a lot of trades made on draft night. Anything is possible. If it was me, I'd take him with the number one pick."

g.keefe@theday.com