CHICAGO — Kentucky big man Willie Cauley-Stein admitted he got an ego boost when the Knicks invited him for a workout Sunday at their Tarrytown, N.Y., training facility, even before the NBA draft lottery.

The Knicks are assured a top-5 pick and most mock drafts have the 6-foot-11 sophomore defensive specialist being taken no higher than sixth.

“It’s definitely intriguing,’’ Cauley-Stein said at the NBA draft combine. “Anytime a team that picks that high wants you to come in and work out, it’s got to perk your ears, like I’m really on their list and can be a top-5 pick.”

Knicks president Phil Jackson said in March he prefers an active defensive big man who can guard all spots on the floor. Cauley-Stein felt Jackson may have been referring to him — not his more acclaimed stablemate, Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Knicks, if they drop in the lottery to the sixth pick, are more likely to trade down and may feel Cauley-Stein still will be available.

His buddy, Towns, is expected to be the first or second pick in the draft and that projection always has befuddled Cauley-Stein, who feels he’s his teammate’s virtual equal. They formed a big-man tandem that came within two games of a perfect season, with the Wildcats finishing 38-1.

Cauley-Stein went on a friendly rant Thursday on his feeling that, if Towns is No. 1, maybe he’s 1A.

“When he came in with that persona on him that he is the No. 1 or No. 2 in the draft and you play against him, play with him, and like, s–t, what am I?’’ Cauley-Stein said. “I’m doing the same stuff as he’s doing. I got stuff he can’t do, and he got stuff I can’t do. We play together and it meshes and goes together. And you just only can think: Where am I on the board?

“If he’s No. 1 or No. 2 and the stuff he’s capable of, you go against him every day in practice and you’re doing stuff to him that makes his game better and he’s doing stuff to me that’s making my game better. You can only think about it like that. Where am I then? If he’s the No. 1 pick, am I the No. 2 or No. 3? What’s going on there? That’s how I’m looking at it. If he’s No. 1 pick, I’m trying to be better than him so I can be the No. 1 pick. I think I’m the No. 1 pick, you know what I’m saying? I’m the No. 10 pick? Nah. I do stuff other guys can’t do. It’s all up to draft day.’’

Jackson talked about his preference for having a defensive big man who can guard “extreme spots on the floor.’’ Cauley-Stein is noted for his ability to guard the pick-and-roll — a prime Knicks weakness the past two seasons.

“I heard that,’’ Cauley-Stein said. “It fits right in my alley. That’s what got me here.’’

Towns didn’t show up at the combine, feeling he had nothing to prove. Cauley-Stein wished Towns had come, to hang with the rest of the seven Kentucky draft prospects.

“Everyone else from the team is here,” Cauley-Stein said. “It would’ve been cool to spend more time with him before we split up for real.”

Draftexpress.com has Cauley-Stein back in the 5-hole on its latest mock draft, but many rank him lower because of his lack of offensive skills. He has also been branded as someone who may not love the game — which astounds him. He had to deal with those queries during team interviews in Chicago.

“I’m told I’m really artsy and I don’t really like art,’’ said Cauley-Stein, who once dyed his hair blond and has a swirl of tattoos. “That’s on me and have to deal with it. ‘And he’s a squirrelly dude.’ I’m a college kid. I don’t see myself not playing basketball, not being around. Do you love the game? I have to explain that to every single team.’’

While his active defense is his bread-and-butter, Cauley-Stein believes he has a jumper that is underrated.

“I’m excited to show people I can be an offensive presence,’’ he said.