The NBA has a culture of friendships. That being said, none compare to the bond the Villanova boys have. Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson were college friends who have now reconnected on the largest platform in the league. Their relationship wasn’t flawless all the time, though.
During their appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” the two Knicks players discussed a variety of subjects, including their friendship. Reminiscing about their time in college, Brunson shared a fascinating tidbit about Hart. He uttered: “Josh was the team bully. He bullied me. During practice, threw me into a door and threw the ball at me.”
Unexpectedly, there were moments when the two closest friends couldn’t agree. Hart had a reputation for being a bully in the locker room, and Brunson disclosed that he wasn’t the only target. He said : “Got in a fight with Mikal and Donte at separate times during practice, weight room. So he was a team bully for sure,”
Hart played the part of the court agitator during his time in college. But such inclinations also followed him off the field. Hart is now close friends with every member of Villanova’s championship-winning roster, even though he had rivalries with almost all of them in the past. Their camaraderie has continued throughout their NBA careers, since they will all be playing together for the Knicks in 2024–2025.
