Jalen Brunson may have familiar company in the Philippines this summer.
The Knicks star quarterback will join the Knicks and shut friend Josh Hart on the U.S. national team for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup.
ESPN was the first to report the news, and shortly after Hart posted a tweet with two US flags.
It was already an enormous July 4 weekend for the Knicks after Hart opted for the final 12 months of his contract slightly than becoming a free agent, which opened up a full exception for the mid-level team to sign former Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo for a four-year a deal price $50 million.
DiVincenzo played with Hart and Brunson at Villanova.
Team USA may also include the Nets duo, Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges.
Hart is eligible for an extension on August 9, six months after being traded to the Knicks, and this appears to be the reason why he wouldn’t have played in the World Cup had there not been an agreement between Knicks officials and Hart that the deal was already done.
The maximum he can receive is a four-year extension price $81 million.
Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Austin Reaves, Paolo Banchero, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Ingram, Bobby Portis, and Walker Kessler were the other Team USA players who were chosen and committed to the tournament.
Team USA’s journey through the tournament will start in Group C together with Jordan, Greece and Recent Zealand. Group play will begin on August 25, with Team USA’s first match against Recent Zealand the following day.
Spain won the last edition of the World Cup in 2019, beating Argentina in the final, while France and Australia finished third and fourth respectively.