US Open star compares New York Knicks captain to Jay Z

It’s been a long time since anyone in a New York Knicks jersey hoisted a championship trophy within the city limits. Jalen Brunson could very well break that streak, but he might not even be the first to do so.

The Knicks were part of a classy stir caused by American tennis star Frances Tiafoe, who donned Brunson’s No. 11 jersey as he prepared for Wednesday’s second-round match against Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko. After his 6-4, 6-1, 1-0 victory, Tiafoe was greeted by Brunson’s Knicks teammate Mikal Bridges, who was part of an NBA contingent that also included Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy.

After the event, Tiafoe admitted that he was looking for Bridges’ outfits because he knew she would be in attendance, but that he felt that wearing Brunson’s outfit would also send a message.

“Brunson is the man here,” Tiafoe said, comparing the point guard to metropolitan royalty (h/t New York Basketball on X). “He’s almost bigger than Jay-Z.”

Tiafoe managed to pay a fitting tribute to Bridges, rewarding him for coming out despite not being a “morning person” by brandishing his three-point celebration after the win (pointing with three fingers in a stylized fashion). But his tribute to Brunson is perhaps a bigger sign of how much of a hold he has on the metropolitan imagination.

Representing New York’s best on the court is nothing new for Tiafoe, who previously suited up for Sabrina Ionescu, Immanuel Quickley and Breanna Stewart.

“I’m friends with a lot of players in the league just because I follow basketball so much,” said Tiafoe, a Maryland native and Washington Wizards fan. “It’s just my love of basketball and them following me because I’m a person of color who plays tennis, that’s kind of a connection.”

Tiafoe, currently ranked No. 20 in the rankings, is seeking his first Grand Slam win, with his best result being a semi-final appearance at the 2022 US Open. His journey continues on Friday against fellow American Ben Shelton.

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