Facilitated by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., the event aimed to unite fans from across the borough and sustain the communal spirit and excitement that the Knicks brought to the city during their postseason run.
“The ‘Knicks in 5’ chants aren’t going anywhere,” he said in anticipation of the rally. “Whether you’re a long-suffering Knicks fan like me or someone who jumped onto the bandwagon this spring, this championship belongs to all of us who love this team and this city.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. was joined by Allan Houston, Ron Naclerio, Kyah Baby, and DJ Nett.Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Allan Houston, a former Knicks player and two-time NBA All-Star, was invited to the Knicks Championship Rally and Flag Raising ceremony.Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
The rally began at 3 p.m., where Borough President Richards took the stage to honor and reflect on the Knicks’ many decades of struggle.
“I will never forget this team or this moment, and I definitely will never forget this feeling of community with each and every one of you,” Richards said. “Underneath those orange and blue skies, New York City and Queens, we are now in NBA champions again, baby.”
In addition to Borough President Richards, the event included remarks from Allan Houston, a former Knicks player and two-time NBA All-Star, along with Ron Naclerio, the legendary boys basketball coach at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School and New York State’s all-time winningest high school basketball coach.
Attendees wore Knicks jerseys and caps to the Knicks Championship Rally and Flag Raising ceremony.Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Houston thanked Borough President Richards for inviting him to the rally, echoing his sentiment that the Knicks’ championship represents a broader perseverance.
“I think he said something that really resonated with me, [which] is that there are certain principles, there are certain things that lead to winning,” Houston said. “The trophy, the crown, is a piece of metal that represents the struggle, the joy, the work, the dedication, not only that those players went through, but that you have gone through as well.”
Attendees adorned in Knicks attire were also treated to a performance by Kyah Baby, a Queens hip-hop artist known for her song “NY Knicks Energy” and her feature on “Welcome to the Garden (Queens Mix),” with entertainment from another Queens artist, DJ Nett.
The rally culminated with Borough President Richards and others raising a New York Knicks World Champions flag on the flagpole in front of Queens Borough Hall.
Additional reporting by Ramy Mahmoud.