VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Nova Knicks are coming home.
 
New York Knicks standouts – and Villanova alums – Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart – will appear at Sunday's Nova Nation Tip-Off presented by Santander, it was announced today.
 
That trio helped lead the Knickerbockers to the franchise's first National Basketball Association title in 53 years in June. Last weekend, Brunson served as the host of 'Saturday Night Live' and was joined on stage by teammates Hart and Bridges during his opening monologue.
 
As Wildcats, the trio played a major part in one of the most successful eras in program history. Bridges and Hart each was named winner of the Julius Erving Award as the nation's top small forward. Brunson was the consensus 2017-18 national player of the year. Brunson and Bridges were two-time national champions while Hart was the leading scorer for the 2016 NCAA national champions.
 
All three have had their Villanova jerseys retired.
 
Admission to the season kickoff event in Finneran Pavilion for the 2026-27 Men's and Women's Basketball seasons is free and open to the public. An autograph session featuring both current rosters begins at 6 p.m. The event begins at 7 p.m.