Some fans are calling it a divine touch.
With Pope Leo being an alumnus of Villanova, like Knicks players Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges, many supporters are hopeful this connection might bring the team its first NBA championship in over half a century.
Spike Lee expressed his feelings on Instagram the day the news broke, saying, “For my fellow Knicks fans, his connection to Villanova University (where Brunson, Hart, and Bridges won an NCAA championship) is a true blessing.”
Brunson, Hart, and Bridges clinched the NCAA title for Villanova in 2016, and in 2018, Brunson and Bridges secured a second championship.
However, Rev. Robert Hagan, the pastor of Villanova’s men’s basketball team during the players’ time, humorously disagreed with the notion that this connection would influence the Knicks’ fortune.
“It doesn’t work that way,” he said with a chuckle.
Despite his commitments, Pope Leo, whose formal name is Robert Francis Prevast, tries to stay updated with Villanova basketball.
“He seems to take pride in being a Wildcat,” Hagan mentioned. “When I met him, he was talking about their performance, so I’d say he’s been keeping an eye on them.”
Rev. Peter M. Donohue, the chairman at Villanova, added that this Papal connection might just give the Knicks an extra push during the playoffs.
“Who really knows? They’re performing well. Perhaps this will motivate them even further,” he said.
