New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart confronted ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith during a live podcast taping at Madison Square Garden on Friday.
Smith was invited as a surprise guest on "The Roommates Show" podcast, hosted by Brunson, Hart, and Matt Hillman at the Infosys Theater.
The crowd greeted Smith with roaring boos, a reaction tied to his history of criticizing Brunson and other Villanova players.
In 2016, Smith said on air that Villanova University "doesn't have a real NBA prospect on this squad," despite the team featuring Brunson, Hart, Mikal Bridges, and Donte DiVincenzo—all future NBA players.
Villanova won the 2016 NCAA Men's National Championship that year.
Smith continued his criticism when Brunson signed with the Knicks in 2022, stating, "Jalen Brunson isn't the answer" and questioning the team's pursuit of him.
During the podcast, Brunson and Hart asked Smith to admit he was wrong. Smith acknowledged he was "beyond wrong" and apologized to the entire Knicks organization.
