From NCAA champions to NBA champions: the story of Brunson, Bridges and Hart

Two courts, two eras, the same three protagonists. There is something cinematic about the bond that ties together Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart: together on April 4, 2016, at NRG Stadium in Houston, winning the NCAA championship with Villanova; together again on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Madison Square Garden, winning an NBA championship with the New York Knicks.

Between those two moments lie exactly ten years and a record that had never existed before: they are the first trio of former college teammates to win both a national championship and an NBA title while remaining together on the same professional team.

Ten years later, still together

To fully appreciate how rare this accomplishment is, it helps to look at history. There have been previous examples of groups of three players from the same university winning both an NCAA title and an NBA championship. It happened, for instance, with Kentucky in 1951 and Ohio State in 1960.

The key difference is significant: in those cases, the players went their separate ways after college and eventually won NBA titles as opponents or on different teams.

Brunson, Bridges and Hart represent a unique case. They won an NCAA championship together and, years later, became NBA champions together on the same team.

Houston, April 4, 2016: where it all began

It all started with a three-pointer. On the night of April 4, 2016, Villanova defeated North Carolina 77-74 thanks to Kris Jenkins’ buzzer-beater off an assist from Ryan Arcidiacono, one of the most iconic moments in college basketball history. Coach Jay Wright built those Wildcats around a team-first style of basketball – spacing, extra passes and system defense – and Brunson, Bridges and Hart were integral parts of that group, even if they were not yet the undisputed stars they would later become.

How New York reunited the “Nova Knicks”

The reunion in New York was not the result of a master plan. It happened gradually, almost by coincidence. Brunson arrived first in 2022, signing with the Knicks after developing into a standout player in Dallas, where he had been selected with the 33rd pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Hart joined him in February 2023 via trade from Portland. Bridges completed the trio in 2024 after being acquired from the Brooklyn Nets. The nickname “Nova Knicks” emerged naturally, later complemented by the arrival of OG Anunoby and the hiring of head coach Mike Brown ahead of the 2025 season.

The 2026 Knicks by the numbers

The Knicks finished the 2026 playoffs with a record of 16 wins and 3 losses. The most impressive statistic concerns their comeback ability: they went 6-2 in games where they faced double-digit deficits, the best mark of the past 30 years. They also won 11 consecutive playoff games, becoming just the fifth team in NBA history to accomplish that feat.

Brunson became the clearest symbol of the franchise’s transformation. From averaging 9.6 points per game as a rookie in 2016 to earning NBA Finals MVP honors in 2026, he averaged 32.6 points, 4.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game in the championship series against San Antonio. His 45-point performance in the title-clinching game placed him in an exclusive group alongside Michael Jordan.

Bridges solidified his status as the team’s defensive anchor and stabilizing force, posting a playoff Offensive Rating of 129.0, among the best marks of the postseason. Hart remained the emotional and defensive glue of the roster, ranking among the league leaders in Defensive Rating (101.1) and Defensive Win Shares (1.3).

What the numbers cannot capture

Beyond the statistics, there is one image that captures everything. Three young men who met in a college dormitory in Pennsylvania, celebrated a championship together, and then embraced once again ten years later beneath the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, after ending a 53-year championship drought for one of the most iconic franchises in sports.

It was never planned. It was never guaranteed. That is exactly what makes it so special.