NEW York Knicks star Jalen Brunson will get to play with friend and former Villanova Wildcats teammate Mikal Bridges this season – but the transition to playing together at the professional level won’t be easy.
But the 2023 All-Star Brunson knows that, and he spoke exclusively to The U.S. Sun about a certain aspect that he believes will help the two achieve success in the 2024-25 NBA season.
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson and then-Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges greet each other after a 2023 game[/caption]
Brunson and his now-Knicks teammate Mikal Bridges seen celebrating in the closing seconds of one of their college games with the Villanova Wildcats[/caption]
After a sensational 28.5 points per game 2023-24 campaign that saw him earn fifth place in the MVP voting, Brunson earned a four-year, $156 million extension this summer.
The team-friendly deal helped the Knicks facilitate a trade with the Brooklyn Nets that helped them receive forward star Bridges.
Brunson and Bridges won two NCAA titles during their days at Villanova.
The pair also played with current Knicks stars Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo for three years with the Wildcats as the four won a championship together in 2016.
The band is back together and Brunson can’t wait to play with Bridges, who has averaged close to 20 points per game in the last two seasons.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity. Obviously, we have a lot of chemistry and we’ve known each other for a very long time,” he told The U.S. Sun in an interview, thanks to the furniture company Lovesac.
However, Brunson and Bridges last played on the court together in a real game in 2018.
The 28-year-old understands it’s been a while working alongside Bridges, but he believes the past will help them showcase their talents.
“Yeah, obviously we had success in college [and] playing [in] the pros is definitely a different animal, but I just think that we can carry it over [with] our chemistry and everything we learned in the past,” Brunson said.
“Just our mindset, doing whatever takes to win, [and we have] that mindset.
“I’m just excited for this opportunity.
“Happy to have these guys back
“Just go out there and win some games.”
Bridges is now where he wants to be as he reportedly planned to ask for a trade to the Knicks.
Brunson and Bridges pose for a portrait before the NBA Draft Lottery in May 2018[/caption]
Wildcats’ Eric Paschall, Brunson, Josh Hart, and Bridges react against the Creighton Bluejays during the Big East Basketball Tournament in 2017[/caption]
Bridges plays defense against Brunson during a 2024 game[/caption]
He is expected to have a big role on the New York squad.
Bridges will be extension-eligible on October 1.
He has two years, and $48 million left on his contract.
NBA insider Marc Stein previously reported that people around the league think Bridge will follow in Brunson’s footsteps and sign a team-friendly extension.
The “Villanova Knicks” will aim for an NBA title this season, but it remains uncertain whether the chemistry with the Wildcats alumni will translate on the court.
