Men's Basketball | 6/14/2026 4:12:00 PM
By
Paul Suellentrop
Landry Shamet is more than a jump-shooter but start there when celebrating his NBA championship and his role in returning one of the league's most prominent, yet tortured, franchises to the title room.
When the Knicks needed contributions off the bench, Shamet delivered a memorable playoff run. Not too long ago, his NBA journey looked precarious. Now he has a ring, champagne-soaked jersey, highlights and a place in the hearts of Knicks fans.
"He earned it," Knicks coach Mike Brown told reporters. "That's what I love more than anything. It's bigger than basketball, looking at his story. It's a great life lesson. On the biggest stages . . . he steps up. He shows the world 'I can do this.'"
Shamet and the New York Knicks won their first NBA title since 1973 on Saturday night with a 4-1 series victory over San Antonio. After that 1973 title, the Knicks didn't return to the NBA Finals until 1994 and again in 1999.
From 2002-2020, the Knicks won one playoff series and recorded 16 losing seasons.
Shamet, drafted in the first round in 2018 by Philadelphia, did his part to help the Knicks go 16-3 in the playoffs with a 14.9 points average margin of victory. He made 47.5 percent (29 of 61) of his three-pointers and scored in double figures six times.
When Brown increased his playing time in the second round, Shamet responded by averaging 11.5 points over an eight-game stretch vs. Philadelphia, Cleveland and the Spurs. He made 23 of 34 threes in that span to help the Knicks sweep the 76ers and Cavs and build a 2-0 lead in San Antonio.
That deadly jumper, with a quick release and consistent form, grew early in Shamet's life. His grandfather demanded he get his elbow straight under the ball – no chicken wing – when he shot as a youngster.
Darin Mason, who worked with Shamet on his shooting during his days with the KC Pumas basketball club, remembered Shamet's skills and work ethic popped as a youngster.
"We got him at the end of fourth grade," Mason said in 2018. "He just had the 'It' factor. He was aggressive, assertive, athletic, coachable. So cerebral. He could take information and apply and master it. He was such a listener.
"From Day One, I told his mother (Melanie) that we were going to make him a combo (guard). If he did get to 6-2, he was going to have to be a point guard. If he got to 6-5, he was going to be a good two guard. If he got taller than that, and he had all that skill, then he's going to do whatever the heck he wants to do."
However, Shamet didn't earn that playing time with the Knicks with shooting alone. He battled on defense, moved the ball and screened. He committed two turnovers in the Eastern Conference finals and none in the championship series. When the Knicks closed out the Spurs 94-90 on Saturday, Brown trusted Shamet in the final seconds.
With a dominating playoff run, the 2026 Knicks join the storied 1970 and 1973 championship teams of Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley and Dave DeBusschere. Former Shockers Dave Stallworth and Nate Bowman also played on the 1970 team. Stallworth earned his place in Knicks lore with 10 fourth-quarter points and defense on Wilt Chamberlain in Game 5 of the 1970 series. Bowman is credited with nicknaming Frazier "Clyde" after the stylishly dressed star of the movie "Bonnie and Clyde."
Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby will likely see their jerseys hang in Madison Square Garden. Others may join them depending on the next few years. Nike featured Shamet on a billboard at Madison Square Garden. His place as one of the Knicks forever crowned by the title is secure.
Shamet played two full seasons at Wichita State (a foot injury limited him to three games as a freshman in 2015-16). He made 43.7 percent of his three-pointers and averaged 12.9 points. His talent, maturity and serious nature stood out as a freshman and never went off track.
In 2018, he declared for the NBA Draft after earning third-team All-American honors from USA Today. He prepared most of his life for that goal. He also prepared most of his life to use his basketball skills to help his mother.
When Shamet thought about an end his Wichita State career, he thought often of how he could help her.
"That's always been a really cool idea to me – seeing it on TV growing up and seeing other guys put their moms and their parents in way better situations than what they're currently living in," he said in 2018. "That's what it's all about. It's an opportunity for me to . . . have a chance to repay my mom for the countless things she's done for me. Take care of her, because I know how hard she worked."
Shamet's place in New York sports history didn't come easily. He played for six teams in his eight seasons. He played a career-low 15 minutes the previous two seasons. Washington waived him in July 2024. The Knicks waived him in September 2024 after a shoulder injury. He played three G League games before returning to the Knicks for the rest of the 2024-25 season.
But he stayed with it. He stayed ready. His reward is a spot on the roll call of champion Knicks. He joins Stallworth, Bowman, Cliff Levingston (Chicago Bulls) and Fred VanVleet (Toronto Raptors) as Shockers with an NBA title.
On Saturday, Shamet gave his mom, his family, his friends and Shocker fans who watched him grow up in Koch Arena a scene to remember – celebrating as an NBA champion.
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
Season tickets are on sale now, and season ticket renewals are available as well. To purchase, visit
GoShockers.com/Tickets, dial 316-978-FANS (3267) or stop by the Shocker Ticket Office, located inside Charles Koch Arena, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
