It was a scene that felt eerily familiar.
The trophy gleaming on the podium, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart positioned on the sidelines.
This moment had similarities to their time at Villanova, and it replayed again at Rocket Arena on Monday as the Knicks celebrated their first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years.
Three players from Nova were pivotal in this achievement, and what they accomplished together made the victory even sweeter.
Brunson noted, “Obviously they’re rooting for me and they’re always rooting for me. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Brunson has always been a leader. Since joining the Knicks from the Mavericks four years back, he’s had a major impact. The team captain put up impressive stats with an average of 25.5 points and 7.8 assists, even snagging the MVP title in the Eastern Conference Finals.
His standout 38-point game in the series opener truly set the tone, helping the Knicks rally from a daunting 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
“There’s no other guard I’d rather be with [besides JB],” Bridges expressed.
Hart joined the Knicks midway through Brunson’s first season. Notably, the team traded Bridges after the 2023-24 season, sending five first-round picks to the Nets for the versatile player. With trusted teammates by his side, Brunson found comfort, especially since they had all reached the pinnacle of college basketball together.
Now, they stand on the brink of a similar opportunity in the NBA. Yet, first, they must face the winner of the matchup between the Spurs and Thunder next Wednesday.
This trio stands out in today’s NBA, being players who achieved significant success after spending over three years in college. Bridges, for instance, had the highest draft pick of the three, going 10th overall to the 76ers in 2018.
Following him was Hart, selected 30th overall the following year. Brunson didn’t get picked in the first round, despite being named National Player of the Year in 2018, but he’s proven naysayers wrong and firmly established himself among the top guards in the game.
“It’s unreal. When you’re in college, you dream about the NBA, but being on the same team? That’s often just a fantasy,” Hart remarked. “It’s surreal that it’s actually happened.”
Furthermore, Brunson emphasized their bond, stating, “I know the time they put in, their commitment, and we share a lifelong brotherhood. This is just another chapter in our story.”
When discussing their past championships, Brunson couldn’t resist teasing Hart.
“To be precise, Mikal and I won two titles, and Josh won one,” he joked.
Despite their current successes, their camaraderie remains, reminiscent of their college days.
