Jalen Brunson on how Donte DiVincenzo’s ‘mindset’ will impact NY
LAS VEGAS – A few Knicks and Nets notes after the second day of Team USA practice:
BRUSON BULLISH ON DONTE
With Jalen Brunson at the helm, the Knicks won 47 games and a first-round playoff series last season. Can they take another step forward this season? The answer to that question depends, in part, on how Donte DiVincenzo impacts the roster.
Brunson is a believer.
“He brings an edge, a mentality, he’s the type of player who can do everything,” Brunson said Friday after Team USA practice. “He wants to win, he’s doing whatever it takes to win. He just has that mindset. It’s something that we need to be a better team.
“Not only does he have that mindset, he has that will to win and it’s kind of contagious with everybody.”
The Knicks signed DiVincenzo to a four-year, $50 million deal early in free agency. He will reunite with old Villanova teammates in Josh Hart and Brunson. Hart exercised the 2023-24 player option in his contract, in part, to give the Knicks more financial flexibility in their pursuit of DiVincenzo. The three Wildcats remain close.
“I’ve loved that kid since I was a freshman in college, and he’s been one of my best friends for a long time,” Brunson said. “To get him on the team, I know what he is gonna bring to the table, night and night out. He’s just one of those dudes that are hungry every single night. We need that.”
Brunson will spend the next month or so traveling with Team USA gearing up to compete in the 2023 World Cup. Training camp in Las Vegas started days after his wedding to Ali Marks in Chicago (a wedding date that was changed last-minute so it wouldn’t conflict with Brunson’s Team USA commitment).
Brunson was Team USA’s starting point guard during scrimmages on Friday and figures to play a…
