Can New York's Villanova trio join NBA college dual-champion club in 2026?

Knicks' Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges could join elite NBA-NCAA dual-champion trio list.

NovaKnicks chasing historic double titles New York's 'NovaKnicks' stand on the brink of joining an exclusive group. The Knicks' trio of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges captured an NCAA championship together at Villanova in 2016. Brunson and Bridges added another college title in 2018 after Hart had moved on. Their journey to becoming NBA teammates unfolded in an unplanned sequence. ## Brunson's move starts the New York trio The process began in summer 2022 when Brunson signed with New York. Hart followed Brunson to the Big Apple in February 2023 via a trade with Portland. Bridges joined the pair over a year later through a major trade after the 2024 season. This trio briefly included a fourth Villanova teammate, Donte DiVincenzo, who was dealt to Minnesota in the fall as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. ## Historic Finals lineup for New York With the Knicks in the NBA Finals against San Antonio currently leading 1-0, the Villanova alumni have already made history. New York is now the second team in NBA history to start three players from the same school in a Finals game. The only other team to achieve this was the 1948-49 Minneapolis Lakers' trio of DePaul graduates George Mikan, Johnny Jorgensen, and Whitey Kachan. ## Knicks trio eyes fifth dual-champion squad A different exclusive list could be on the line for the Knicks' former Wildcats as well. Only four sets of teammates have won both NCAA and NBA championships together among players who competed in at least one NCAA tournament game and one NBA playoff game. The Knicks' Bridges, Brunson, and Hart could become the fifth group to achieve this feat. ## Exclusive list of dual-champion teammates Here's the exclusive list of teammates who have won championships in college and the NBA. The first pair is Derek Anderson and Antoine Walker. Their shared seasons were efficient for titles even though they overlapped for just one season at Kentucky and one season in Miami as Heat teammates. ## Anderson and Walker's one-season magic Anderson and Walker played together for one season at Kentucky in 1995-96, leading the Wildcats to a 34-2 record and a national title. Anderson had transferred from Ohio State and sat out Walker's freshman year. They reunited in 2006 with the Miami Heat, capturing the NBA championship together. ## Abdul-Jabbar and Allen's UCLA-to-NBA dynasty Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Lucius Allen formed part of UCLA's legendary dynasty. They enrolled at UCLA in fall 1965 and won three straight national titles from 1967 to 1969. Abdul-Jabbar was drafted No. 1 in 1969, Allen No. 3, and Allen was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks after his rookie season. ## Bucks and Lakers success for Abdul-Jabbar, Allen The Bucks won the 1971 NBA Finals with Abdul-Jabbar and Allen on the roster. They later overlapped for two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, though Allen left before the Lakers' 1980s title runs. Abdul-Jabbar and Allen remain one of the most successful college-to-NBA teammate duos. ## Havlicek and Siegfried's Ohio State and Celtics legacy John Havlicek and Larry Siegfried were key members of Ohio State's stacked lineup in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Jerry Lucas and Bob Knight also played for the Buckeyes, who won the 1960 national title. Havlicek joined the Boston Celtics in 1962, and Siegfried followed in 1963. ## Celtics dynasty built on Havlicek-Siegfried foundation Havlicek and Siegfried played seven seasons together in Boston, winning five championships. Their success spanned the early 1960s through the mid-1960s Celtics dynasty. Ohio State's 1960 title and their five NBA rings make them one of the most decorated teammate pairs in history. ## Russell and Jones' unmatched college and NBA success Bill Russell and K.C. Jones defined success as teammates at both college and professional levels. They played three seasons together at the University of San Francisco, winning back-to-back national titles in 1955 and 1956. Russell was the No. 2 pick in the 1956 draft, Jones No. 13, both selected by Boston. ## Celtics’ eight straight titles with Russell and Jones Jones joined the Celtics in 1958-59, and Boston won eight consecutive NBA titles starting that season. Russell and Jones remained teammates for nine NBA seasons. Their overlapping careers also included time with Havlicek and Siegfried in the mid-to-late 1960s.