Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Mesa Community College Athletics graphic congratulating former Thunderbird Mike Brown and the New York Knicks on winning the 2025-26 NBA Championship. The design features a large Thunderbird logo on the left, Mike Brown's name in oversized white and red lettering at the center, and the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy on the right with the New York Knicks logo displayed in front. Gold, red, blue, and white confetti accents fill a dark blue textured background. Text reads:
Mesa Community College Athletics graphic congratulating former Thunderbird Mike Brown and the New York Knicks on winning the 2025-26 NBA Championship. The design features a large Thunderbird logo on the left, Mike Brown's name in oversized white and red lettering at the center, and the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy on the right with the New York Knicks logo displayed in front. Gold, red, blue, and white confetti accents fill a dark blue textured background. Text reads:
Posted: Jun 15, 2026

FORMER THUNDERBIRD MIKE BROWN LEADS NEW YORK KNICKS TO FIRST NBA CHAMPIONSHIP IN 53 YEARS

Mesa Community College Athletics proudly congratulates former Thunderbird Mike Brown after leading the New York Knicks to the 2025-26 NBA Championship, delivering the franchise its first NBA title in 53 years.

Brown, who played for Mesa Community College from 1988-90, has built a very accomplished coaching career in professional basketball. His latest achievement adds another milestone to a distinguished resume that has spanned decades at the highest levels of the game.

Throughout his NBA coaching career, Brown has earned widespread recognition for his leadership and success, including multiple NBA Coach of the Year honors. Most notably, he was named NBA Coach of the Year following the 2022-23 season, further cementing his place among the league's elite coaches.

The championship marks a historic moment for the Knicks organization and another proud chapter for one of Mesa Community College's most accomplished alumni. Brown's leadership helped guide New York to the franchise's first NBA title since 1973, ending a championship drought that had lasted more than five decades.

In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments and impact on the game of basketball, Brown was inducted into the Mesa Community College Hall of Fame in 2022.

From his days as a Thunderbird student-athlete to reaching the pinnacle of professional basketball, Brown continues to serve as an inspiration to Mesa Community College student-athletes and the entire Thunderbird community.

Mesa Community College Athletics congratulates Mike Brown and the New York Knicks on a historic NBA championship season.