You know who deserves more credit during this World Cup and NBA?
The people cleaning up after everyone else.
Shout out to the real MVPs. @NYCSanitation#WorldCup#NBA#Knicks
Three Villanova teammates. NCAA Champions in 2016. NBA Champions in 2026.
Ten years. Same three guys.
In 2016 Josh Hart was a junior. Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges were freshmen. Coach Jay Wright built them into champions beating North Carolina for the NCAA title.
Brunson and Bridges won it again in 2018.
Then the NBA separated them.
Brunson signed with the Knicks in 2022. Hart arrived in a trade from Portland in 2023. Bridges cost five first round picks from Brooklyn in 2024.
The Knicks gave up their future to reunite three college teammates.
Here's what it cost. Brunson left $113 million on the table so New York could afford to build. Bridges signed a $150 million extension. Hart signed for $80.9 million, the biggest bargain on the entire roster.
First trio in history to win both an NCAA title and an NBA title together.
Brunson Finals MVP. Bridges $150M.
Hart $80.9M and the heart of the locker room. Ten years. Same three guys. One ring.
Jalen Brunson sacrificed over $100 million to give the Knicks a better chance to compete for a title.
Tonight he’s an NBA champion and a legend in New York for life.