This is perhaps unheard of in NBA history: four players together in college who end up together in the NBA! This is the Villanova Connection since ESPN announces that Mikal Bridges joins Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo on the Knicks. A major new take for New York which anticipates the possible departure of OG Anunoby, even if management still wishes to extend it.
While the Nets had received offers for Bridges, the person concerned had informed his managers that he wanted to join his friends in New York. this is done in an exchange where the Knicks part with Bojan Bogdanovic but also and above all from four first rounds of unprotected Draft (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031), a first round of protected Draft (2025, via the Bucks), and a second round of Draft (2025). Furthermore, in 2028, the Nets will have the opportunity to trade their first round pick with the Knicks. In addition to Bridges, New York gets a second round of Draft in 2026.
Two anecdotes from this exchange. First, Bridges won the NCAA title in 2016 with Brunson, Hart and DiVincenzo. On the other hand, he was already in the NBA when the trio won a second title in 2018. Furthermore, it is the first exchange between the Knicks and the Nets since… 1983!
On social media, Bridges cracked a simple “ It's crazy, LOL” , while Hart still can't believe it.
| Mikal Bridges | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | PHX | 82 | 30 | 43.0 | 33.5 | 80.5 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 8.3 |
| 2019-20 | PHX | 73 | 28 | 51.0 | 36.1 | 84.4 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 9.1 |
| 2020-21 | PHX | 72 | 33 | 54.3 | 42.5 | 84.0 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 13.5 |
| 2021-22 | PHX | 82 | 35 | 53.4 | 36.9 | 83.4 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 14.2 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 83 | 36 | 46.8 | 38.2 | 89.5 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 20.1 |
| 2022-23 * | PHX | 56 | 36 | 46.3 | 38.7 | 89.7 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 17.2 |
| 2022-23 * | BRK | 27 | 34 | 47.5 | 37.6 | 89.4 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 26.2 |
| 2023-24 | BRK | 82 | 35 | 43.6 | 37.2 | 81.4 | 0.8 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 19.6 |
| Total | 474 | 33 | 48.0 | 37.5 | 84.6 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 14.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
