New York Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson addressed his team’s speculated visit to meet with President Trump at the White House following their NBA Finals triumph last month.
“That’s something that we actually haven’t discussed as a team,” Brunson, 29, said last week at Variety’s inaugural Sports & Entertainment Studio in New York. “And so obviously, people are making assumptions and saying everything, but together we haven’t discussed it yet. And so we’ll cross our bridge when we get to it.”
When told that if the Knicks decide “yes” to the visit they would be the first NBA team to meet with Trump, 80, at the White House, Brunson responded, “Interesting…interesting.”
The Boston Celtics were the last NBA team to be celebrated at the White House, meeting with President Biden in 2024.
Last year’s NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, cited scheduling concerns as their reason for not meeting with Trump.
“We have been in touch with the White House and we are appreciative and grateful for the communication we have had, but the timing just didn’t work out,” the team said in a statement at the time.
Knicks owner James Dolan, a longtime friend and supporter of Trump, said the team “accepted” an invitation to visit the White House but were still figuring out “the details.”
“He is a friend,” Dolan said during an appearance on WFAN in June. “I’ve known him for 30 years. And I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House.”
A spokesperson for the White House told The Athletic at the time, “We have been in touch with the Knicks and look forward to hosting the team at a date to be determined in the near future.”
As for the rest of Brunson’s summer plans, he said he would “love” to make a guest appearance on Law & Order: SVU, starring his friend and Knicks superfan, Mariska Hargitay.
“Mariska has become a great friend of mine,” he told Variety. “She was an idol. She was someone I looked up to. I think obviously I feel like everyone who watches this show feels like she’s just a role model for all. And so, she’s still that for me, but then obviously getting to know her, know her family — our family is intertwining. It’s been a great friendship and she’s been very supportive of me and I try to be very supportive of her as well.”
In an exclusive interview with Us during the 2026 NBA Finals, Jalen’s wife, Ali, gushed about her husband’s friendship with the actress.
“I really love it,” Ali, 30, said. “It’s captain meets captain. I know that’s so cheesy.”
Ali added, “He watches SVU religiously, for years and years. To see her be a fan and then they’re able to meet, she’s a wonderful human. We’ve shared so many experiences together. It’s been really fun.”
