CHICAGO — Villanova guard Donte DiVincenzo was the red-headed hero of the NCAA Championship game last month, but he believes his teammate Mikal Bridges can become the hero of New York. That is, if Bridges drops to No. 9.

“I think he’s top five, personally — as a character person and what he brings to an organization,’’ DiVincenzo told The Post on Wednesday as the NBA Draft Combine interviews commenced. “He brings a lot of talent, a lot of potential and a lot of upside people haven’t even seen yet. I know his work ethic and know what kind of person he is.

“He absolutely has potential to be an All-Star and a great player for a long time,’’ Nova’s title-game star added.

Off his 31-point explosion that helped beat Michigan in the final, DiVincenzo declared for the draft, but may return to Villanova for his redshirt junior year. Meanwhile, Bridges is done as a redshirt junior himself and the Knicks are looking closely at the 6-foot-7 3-and-D prospect with the ninth pick because of their glaring need for a small forward.

Bridges, who notched 19 points in the title game, interviewed with the Knicks on Wednesday but is not doing the combine’s formal media availability Thursday and Friday. Sam Goldfeder, his New York-based agent, even declined requests for Bridges to hold an impromptu interview session in the hotel lobby Wednesday with Knicks writers.

DiVincenzo, who hasn’t hired an agent as he “tests the waters’’ said he’s “not surprised’’ Bridges is projected as low as ninth because “it’s a loaded draft.” The Bulls are rumored to have interest at No. 7.

“There’s a possibility of moving up because of the type of person he is — worthy of top five,’’ DeVincenzo said. “His length, ability to defend, knock down shots and versatility, guarding multiple positions. He’ll live up to whatever’s needed.

“He’s been put in different environments and succeeded in every aspect. He’s a leader-by-example type of guy. People follow his lead. When things aren’t going well, he picks everyone up.’’

Knicks general manager Scott Perry believes interviews with prospects is a key ingredient to making a decision for the June 21 draft. Perry said the Knicks, who have the ninth and 36th picks, will interview 20 prospects — the maximum allowed — in 30-minute sessions across the next three days.

Perry said he likes to target a wide range of players for interviews — not just players in the team’s pick range. A source said the Knicks are hopeful to have point guard Trae Young and Harlem center Mohamed Bamba work out in Tarrytown, though neither is expected to fall to No. 9. They are among their planned interviews here.

Perry didn’t rule out trading up in the draft.

“I think you have a loose idea of where guys may fall,’’ Perry said. “Historically, I’ve liked to broaden that range because going into the draft you never know what could occur. There may be trade opportunities to move up or down.’’

Regarding the interviews, Perry added, “That’s as important as evaluating talent. We’ve been watching these guys play so we have a little better handle on their physical skill. But it’s going to be really important to find out who these guys are as people, what kind of character they really embody and project how they would fit with us.”