Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo are replicating their success with the New York Knicks after winning at Villanova University.
There are quite a few former Villanova University students on the roster of the New York Knicks. That was especially clear prior to Friday night’s game against the Washington Wizards, where Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, and Jaren Brunson—three former Wildcats—were starting five players. Ryan Arcidiacono entered in the last moments of a 120-99 victory.
“It’s super weird. Super weird,” Brunson, the leading scorer with 45, said of the starting five’s introduction, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “They’re announcing the starters and it’s like, ‘From Villanova. … From Villanova. … From Villanova. It was like Villanova going up against the Wizards.”
Despite RJ Barrett’s return from a migraine, which forced Hart to play only as a reserve on Saturday night in Charlotte, former Wildcats still had a significant impact: DiVincenzo, starting in place of Quentin Grimes for the second straight game, finished with a career-high 25 points on 9 of 12 from the field, while Brunson added 32 points to cap off the Washington victory. During a five-game road trip, the Knicks emerged victorious once more, defeating the Hornets 122-108 to record a winning record.
The biggest offseason addition for the Knicks was DiVincenzo’s signing, which brought him back to play alongside fellow two-time national champion Brunson at Villanova. Having DiVincenzo in the mix has allowed the Wildcat backcourt tandem to realize a long-held dream.
“We envisioned playing in the NBA,” Brunson said. “We envisioned all of that stuff, but not this. Jokingly, maybe, but never really a serious thought.”
It comes as no surprise to Brunson that DiVincenzo has stepped up to the plate. DiVincenzo has made two starts in Grimes’ place and scored a total of 39 points while shooting more than 66 percent from the field.
“I’m not surprised because I’ve seen it,” Brunson said, “But to be able to see it now as a teammate on this stage, it’s like surreal now.”
In 2016, DiVincenzo, a freshman at the time, was not on the court for the first national championship match. However, he set a Final Four record for points off the bench when the Wildcats defeated Michigan by scoring 31 points in the victory two years later when they made a comeback to the championship game.
As the Knicks wrap up a five-game road trip, Brunson and DiVincenzo will try to lead the team to another victory on Monday night against Anthony Edwards and the scorching Minnesota Timberwolves (8 p.m. ET, MSG).