CHARLESTON, S.C. — It’s a weird spot for Donte DiVincenzo.
He’s the new guy, but also the guy in the clique.
The ’Nova Knicks, they’re called.
And DiVincenzo doesn’t want that to separate him from the other teammates.
“Me, I like to personally try to develop each relationship with every single guy, coaches and everything,” DiVincenzo said. “Even in training camp, try to sit with as many different guys as possible, not start this whole ’Nova thing.”
The “’Nova thing” is great, DiVincenzo added.
He gets to play alongside three of his former college buddies.
They won a title together.
Josh Hart even negotiated his contract extension in such a way to facilitate DiVincenzo’s signing.
They’re easy to root for and easy to market.
during 2023-24 NBA Media Day.
On media day, for instance, the Villanova foursome — DiVincenzo, Hart, Jalen Brunson and Ryan Arcidiacano — posed together in neon shades for a viral photo.
Hart, especially, throws himself fully into the ’Nova bit.
Brunson plays the role of the more mature sibling.
But DiVincenzo, the only member of the group with an NBA championship, wants to promote individualism over Villanovaism.
“I’m Donte, he’s Josh, he’s Jalen,” DiVincenzo said. “We’re all developing our relationships with everybody on the floor.”
This makes sense, of course.
When you add in Leon Rose (from Cherry Hill, N.J.), World Wide Wes (from Camden, N.J.) and assistant coach Rick Brunson (attended Temple), the Knicks have a big Philly area vibe in important areas of basketball operations.
DiVincenzo is now part of that mix, but it doesn’t serve the purposes of team success and camaraderie to divide a roster by past friendships and territories.
DiVincenzo probably prefers the other reputation attached to his name: a winner.
“I know if we’re winning games, everybody is gonna eat,” DiVincenzo said. “The young guys, the old guys last longer in the league, the coaches, everybody eats when everybody is selfless, and the ultimate goal is to win games. So, that’s always been my motto. Going on sixth year in the league, so it’s working so far.”
Indeed, winning has worked out for DiVincenzo.
He did it at high school in Delaware.
He did it twice in college.
He did it with the Milwaukee Bucks, although the guard was injured for the Finals as Giannis Antetokounmpo emerged as an all-time great.
“It sucked. It sucked,” DiVincenzo said about the torn ligament in his ankle in 2021. “Starting every game all season, playing, developing that continuity with a future Hall of Famer and having a goal of winning a championship and then going down, it sucked. But also, I took a lot from that. I learned a lot from that. I learned a lot being out and just trying to apply that to every time I approach a game.”
Humility and perspective will have to be a part of DiVincenzo’s Knicks career.
At least in the beginning.
After starting on championship contenders in Milwaukee and Golden State, he’s the backup shooting guard to Quentin Grimes.
That’s another weird spot for DiVincenzo.
He’s a $50 million signing and the best reason to hope for improvement as the team’s lone notable acquisition.
But, how much impact can he have coming off the bench?
How much playing time is available in a guard rotation with Brunson, Grimes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett?
Those questions will be better answered in the next few months.
In the meantime, DiVincenzo is trying to acclimate himself as a member of the Knicks, not as a Villanova Wildcat.
“You’re getting a young veteran who’s had experiences. He’s got deep playoff experience. And he fits in perfectly with our team,” Tom Thibodeau said. “So just play to our strengths, learn your teammates. He’s fit in seamlessly thus far.”
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