Friars Coach Ed Cooley Talks About Losing Ben Bentil to NBA Draft

PC news release…

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Providence College guard Kris Dunn (New London, Conn.) and forward Ben Bentil (Wilmington, Del.) have elected to enter the 2016 NBA Draft.  Dunn had one season of eligibility remaining and Bentil had two seasons remaining.

“We appreciate everything that Kris and Ben have done for us the last few years,” Providence Head Coach Ed Cooley said.  “When we came to Providence our goal was to recruit high level players that would allow us to compete for the BIG EAST title and play in the NCAA Tournament.  Kris and Ben have helped us reach those goals.  We wish them all the best.  I believe each of them will have long and productive careers in the NBA.”

Dunn had a strong season in 2015-16 as he was named a Consensus All-American.  He also was named First Team All-BIG EAST, BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year and BIG EAST Player of the Year. Other honors he earned were NCAA Consensus Second Team All-American, NABC Second Team All-American, John R. Wooden Award All-American, USBWA Second Team All-American, Sports Illustrated Second Team All-American, Sporting News Second Team All-American, CBS Sports.com Second Team All-American, ESPN.com Third Team All-American, USA Today Third Team All-American, USWBA District 1 Player of the Year and NABC Division I First Team All-District 5.

Dunn, who is a two-time BIG EAST Player of the Year and two-time BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, joined Georgetown’s Patrick Ewing `85 as the only players in the history of the league to earn Player of the Year twice and Defensive Player of the Year twice. Dunn also is just the sixth player in the 37-year history of the BIG EAST to be named Player of the Year two times. Dunn is the only guard in the history of the league to earn Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. In addition to leading the league in steals and ranking fifth in the nation (2.5), Dunn ranked second in the BIG EAST in assists (6.2) and fourth in scoring (16.4). Dunn registered seven double-doubles and one triple-double. Dunn became the first Friar ever to register 1,000 points, 500 assists, 400 rebounds and 200 steals. In 95 career games, Dunn recorded 1,214 points (12.8 ppg), 552 assists (5.8 apg), 486 rebounds (5.1 rpg) and 208 steals (2.2 spg).

Bentil, a 6-9 forward had a breakout season for the Friars. He was named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American.  He also was named BIG EAST Most Improved Player and First Team All-BIG EAST after he led the BIG EAST in scoring (21.1) and finished fourth in the league in rebounding (7.7 rpg). Bentil scored 20 or more points in 21 of the team’s 35 games, including a season-high 42 points at Marquette. His 42-point effort versus Marquette is the most points ever scored by a Providence sophomore in a game. His 738 points scored for the season ranks as the sixth highest single-season total ever at Providence and most ever scored by a Friar sophomore.

Providence College has had 41 players drafted into the NBA.  The most recent Friar drafted was Ricky Ledo, who was selected in the second round (No. 43) in 2013 by the Milwaukee Bucks.  Marshon Brooks was the most recent first round selection as he was drafted in the 25th spot by the Boston Celtics in 2011.  Providence has never had two players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft in the same year.  The last time two Providence players were selected in the NBA Draft in the same year was in 1997 when Austin Croshere (first round, 12th) and God Shammgod (second round, 46th) were both picked.