Providence's Dunn says Sixers impressed him
CHICAGO - Kris Dunn commanded the moment. It wasn't hard for him to do. The Providence point guard was the only projected top-six draft prospect available to the media here at the NBA draft combine.
CHICAGO - Kris Dunn commanded the moment.
It wasn't hard for him to do. The Providence point guard was the only projected top-six draft prospect available to the media here at the NBA draft combine.
"I have no problem talking to the media," Dunn said Thursday at the Quest Multisports Complex while a horde of reporters surrounded his chair. "Whatever you guys have [to ask] I'm going to try to answer to the best of my ability."
That's a good thing for the 76ers. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder didn't conceal his interest in playing for them.
"If I'm capable of going to the Sixers, I would love it," Dunn said.
For great reasons. Sixers coach Brett Brown told the New London, Conn., native during a Wednesday interview that he would play right away if the Sixers get him.
In addition to hearing that, Dunn was impressed by the energy in the room during the 30-minute interview with the Sixers at a downtown hotel.
"They made me feel like they really wanted me there," he said. "We all were very engaged. We talked about a lot of things. I appreciate them having me."
Dunn would be a great option for a Sixers squad with many needs if they fail to get one of the top two picks in the draft on June 23. Small forwards Ben Simmons of Louisiana State and Brandon Ingram of Duke - no particular order - will most likely be selected in those spots.
Right now, the Sixers have a 26.9 percent chance - the best of all NBA teams - to end up with the top pick during the draft lottery Tuesday in New York. They also have a 67.8 percent chance to finish in the top three and will place no lower than fourth.
The 22-year-old Dunn, who left Providence after his junior season, made Big East history.
This past season, he won his second consecutive conference-player-of-the-year award. Dunn also was Big East defensive player of the year the last two seasons. He is the conference's first guard to win both awards twice.
"I think my greatest strength is I'm a great defender," said Dunn, who averaged 16.4 points, 6.2 assists, and 2.7 steals this past season. "I like to defend on the ball. I like to get after people. I like to get under people's skin."
The self-described blue-collar worker said the team that selects him will get someone with great character who works hard every day.
They'll also get someone with a great personality.
"I'm so goofy," he said. "I like to laugh."
He's the lone projected top-tier draft pick who elected to show that side to reporters.
Simmons and Croatian power forward Dragan Bender are not at the combine. Ingram, Oklahoma shooting guard Buddy Hield, and Kentucky point guard Jamal Murray conducted interviews only with teams.
Hield was stopped outside his downtown hotel and asked how his Sixers interview went. His response: "Why do you have to ask me questions?" Then he briskly walked away.
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