{"id":736863,"date":"2026-06-14T22:41:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T22:41:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/736863\/"},"modified":"2026-06-14T22:41:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T22:41:28","slug":"3-knicks-teammates-made-unique-basketball-history-with-nba-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/736863\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Knicks teammates made unique basketball history with NBA championship"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Saturday night, the New York Knicks<\/a> made history when they achieved the franchise\u2019s third NBA championship, also the first in over 50 years, which was a long time coming for many of their fans.<\/p>\n

They captured a 94-90 Game 5 victory in San Antonio<\/a>, allowing the team to complete their mission away from home, but still in front of many of their fans who made the trek to support them at the Frost Bank Center. Spike Lee, Timothee Chalamet, and Tracy Morgan were among those on hand to witness their team\u2019s win.<\/p>\n

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The victory wouldn\u2019t have been possible without their collection of talent, which included All-Star guard Jalen Brunson<\/a>, who signed with the team as a free agent in 2022. And while Brunson was the driving force of the team\u2019s incredible playoff run, he had help.<\/p>\n

In addition to major contributions from Karl-Anthony Towns<\/a> and OG Anunoby<\/a>, the championship wouldn\u2019t have been possible without Josh Hart<\/a> and Mikal Bridges<\/a>, both of whom have former ties to Brunson.<\/p>\n

More news: Adam Silver Makes Strong Statement on Victor Wembanyama Amid NBA Finals<\/a><\/p>\n

\"NewSAN ANTONIO, TEXAS \u2013 JUNE 13: Ernie Johnson Jr. interviews Josh Hart #3 and Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs<\/a> in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Gregory Shamus\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

All three players played college basketball at Villanova and were teammates, capturing at least one championship there each.<\/p>\n

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According to ESPN insights<\/a>, with their Knicks championship win, Brunson, Bridges, and Hart became the first trio of teammates to win both an NCAA title and an NBA title. The trio played under coach Jay Wright at Villanova, winning a championship there together in 2016.<\/p>\n

Brunson also captured a championship there in 2018, when he became a National college player of the year, also winning the Bob Cousy Award and the Lute Olson Award in his standout season. Surprisingly, he was a second-round pick at No. 33 for the Dallas Mavericks<\/a> in the 2018 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n

Bridges was with Brunson for both of those championships and was a higher pick, going 10th overall to the Phoenix Suns<\/a> in the same draft as Brunson. He would play for the Brooklyn Nets<\/a> briefly before being traded in July 2024 to the Knicks.<\/p>\n

Hart played for Villanova from 2013 to 2017, so he wasn\u2019t around for Bridges\u2019 and Brunson\u2019s second championship. He went on to become a No. 30 pick for the Lakers<\/a>, and had stints with the New Orleans Pelicans<\/a> and Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> before a 2023 trade sent him to New York.<\/p>\n

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Having three players who already worked well together in college play together on the same NBA team is undoubtedly a significant boost. Under different circumstances, the three former teammates reunited as members of a Knicks team that went on one of the most incredible postseason runs, possibly of all-time, and captured a much-deserved NBA championship.<\/p>\n

Read more: Charles Barkley Clarifies \u2018Dumb Basketball\u2019 Comment About Spurs\u2019 Collapse<\/a><\/p>\n

For more about the New York Knicks<\/a> and the NBA<\/a>, visit Newsweek Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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