WALTHAM — Ben Bentil and buddy Kris Dunn had been exchanging text messages all during the draft-day process, although their experiences were dramatically different.

What’s more, the exchange between the Providence College teammates continued into Bentil’s introductory news conference Friday with the Celtics in the team’s practice facility.

“We’re texting right now,’’ Bentil said during his session with reporters.

Dunn was not going to fall far from the top of Thursday’s NBA Draft, eventually going fifth overall to the Timberwolves. For Bentil, he would have to wait nearly the entire night. The sophomore had waited until the 11th hour to decide whether to stay in the draft, and now the burly forward would have to watch intently as the draft progressed through the second round.

Bentil was taken 51st overall by the Celtics, who feel as if they scored big by getting a player projected to go late in the first round just a few weeks ago. The 6-foot-8-inch, 229-pound Bentil could be a sleeper on the Celtics’ roster, a floor-stretching small forward with muscle and a mean streak.

In his Ghanaian accent, Bentil carried a confidence Friday that was rare. He relished being drafted so close to his college home, and said Dunn was more disappointed about his draft slide (from as high as No.?3) than he was.

“It was actually funny because when Kris was sitting [in the green room at the Barclays Center] and I was texting him and the fifth pick came and I was like, ‘This is you, I’m about to go crazy,’?’’ Bentil said. “They called him, I went crazy upstairs [in the stands]. And then it was the other way [when the draft progressed]. He was texting me, mad. He was so mad and I was like, ‘Brother don’t worry about it, even if I don’t get drafted, I’m just going to find a way to get on a summer league team and prove myself.’

“When Boston picked me, I can show you the text right now, he said, ‘You’re lucky you’re going home and I said, ‘Yeah, I guess I am staying home.’?’’

After hearing boos and criticism from the season-ticket holders who came to TD Garden expecting a major trade Thursday, the Celtics improved their perceptions by taking tough-minded Notre Dame point guard Demetrius Jackson — tabbed as a first-rounder by some projections — with the 45th pick and Bentil six picks later.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens, the former college coach who still follows the NCAA game closely, was an admirer of both.

“I think [Bentil] almost had 50 against Butler [actually 38], the last time they played,’’ Stevens said. “I saw Providence play a lot anyways. Obviously, that familiarity helped. I recruited Demetrius pretty hard. Demetrius lived with a family of Butler grads. He’s a great kid, really a hard worker, a great personality from the point guard position and has some real athletic gifts.

“When I have seen Notre Dame play, I have enjoyed seeing his progress as a point guard. There was a great deal of familiarity there and, to be candid, I thought both of those guys would go higher than they did. So we were thrilled that they were available.’’

Bentil, 21, noticed the Celtics were closely monitoring him and Dunn last season. Providence reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to North Carolina, 85-66. Bentil scored 21 points in his final college game.

“They were physically there every day,’’ Bentil said of Celtics’ scouting looking at him and Dunn. “It seemed like they went to school with us. It was a pleasure to see them.’’

Bentil led the 24-11 Friars in scoring, scoring at least 30 points in five games, with a high of 42 against Marquette.

“It was kind of hectic,’’ Bentil said. “I had a lot of doubters and I felt like I could prove them wrong and I did that and I sat with my family and I knew staying in was the best option for me. I did that and I took my chances.’’

Bentil said he will remain close with Dunn, who is expected to eventually inherit the starting point guard position from Ricky Rubio. Dunn kept reiterating to his buddy the importance of being close to home and making an impact with the Celtics.

“He’s a tremendous player,’’ Bentil said of Dunn. “When he told me at the beginning of the year he came back [to school] because he knew he had me, it was something that got me going. He’s a great friend, a great brother. We’re always together. We’re trying to figure out a way to see each other soon.’’

Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GwashburnGlobe.