Knicks Bring Back Jalen Brunson's "Role Model"

The New York Knicks are bringing back a familiar face to training camp, after announcing the signing of 5-year NBA guard Ryan Arcidiacono.

Knicks announce that they’ve re-signed Ryan Arcidiacono. Arcidiacono spent time with NYK last season and starred with Jalen Brunson at Villanova: pic.twitter.com/EIZtObMZdO

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) September 17, 2022

In particular, Arcidiacono's face will be most familiar to new Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. The two of them developed a strong bond while playing together in college. In Arcidiacono's senior year at Villanova in 2016, the two of them led the Wildcats to the national title. Arcidiacono was named the 2016 NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

"When we were recruiting, Arch had the biggest impact on the recruitment of Jalen," former Wildcats head coach Jay Wright told USA Today's Nicole Auerbach in 2016. "When Jalen came on his recruiting visit, he stayed in Arch's room. We got a hotel room for him, but he stayed and slept in Arch's room."

"Ryan’s like a big brother to me, said Brunson at the time, as noted by Bleacher Report. "He’s a role model. He does everything with such a sense of purpose. He’s someone I really admire."

The 28-year-old Arcidiacono spent his first four years in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls, before signing with the Knicks this past February and playing in 10 games. The 6'3" point guard has averaged 4.6 points and 2.1 assists in 17 minutes per game across 217 NBA contests, while shooting 37.4% from long distance. In his 10 games with the Knicks this past season, he shot 44.4% from three-point land.

Photos: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports