Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges made history as the first trio of teammates to win both an NCAA national championship and an NBA championship together.
From Nova to Nueva York 🤝
Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, & Josh Hart are the 1st teammate trio to win both an NCAA title (2016 Villanova) & an NBA title (2026 Knicks), pic.twitter.com/stwQW2b9MG
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) June 14, 2026
The “Nova Knicks” completed this iconic journey by guiding the New York Knicks to a 94-90 win in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, ending the franchise’s 53-year championship drought. The trio led a college dynasty under coach Jay Wright at Villanova before reuniting in the NBA to replicate their college success.
ANOTHER title together for the Nova Knicks
Winners win. @brhoops pic.twitter.com/DvsIQ9Yea5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 14, 2026
While other college groups like the 1951 Kentucky and 1960 Ohio State teams saw three players win NBA titles, Brunson, Hart, and Bridges are the first to win college and professional championships while on the same roster.
With NCAA titles, an NBA championship, and Finals MVP honors, Jalen Brunson is just the seventh player in basketball history to secure all three, joining legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Isiah Thomas.
The trio officially became part of an exclusive group of only 60 players in basketball history who have won both an NCAA tournament national championship and an NBA Finals series.
Imagine winning a national championship with your boys in college and then getting together to win an NBA championship a few years later.
Just an insane story for the Nova Knicks
— Anthony Pompliano 🌪 (@APompliano) June 14, 2026
