The NBA Finals MVP Will Host the Season 52 Premiere Sept. 26 With KATSEYE, Nearly 20 Years After LeBron James Opened the Show’s 2007 Season
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson is taking his championship season from Madison Square Garden to Studio 8H.
Brunson will host the Season 52 premiere of “Saturday Night Live” on Sept. 26, becoming the first active NBA player to host the NBC sketch comedy show since LeBron James in 2007. Global girl group KATSEYE will make its “SNL” debut as the episode’s musical guest.
The appearance adds another milestone to Brunson’s offseason after he led the Knicks to their first NBA championship in 53 years and earned NBA Finals MVP honors. New York defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games, with Brunson averaging 32.6 points in the series.
Brunson Joins a Short List of NBA Stars to Host ‘SNL’
Brunson joins a select group of NBA players who have hosted “Saturday Night Live,” including Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and James.
James hosted the Season 33 premiere on Sept. 29, 2007, while he was playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kanye West served as the musical guest.
Brunson will also become the latest New York sports star to make the jump to “SNL” after helping deliver a championship to the city. Former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter hosted in 2001, while New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning hosted in 2012.
‘SNL’ Announces First Season 52 Hosts
NBC also announced the first slate of hosts and musical guests for the new season.
Dakota Johnson will host Oct. 3 with Turnstile, followed by comedian Shane Gillis on Oct. 10 with Rosalía. After a two-week break, actress Inde Navarrette will host the Halloween episode on Oct. 31 with Gracie Abrams as musical guest.
Brunson and KATSEYE will both make their “SNL” debuts when the season premieres Sept. 26 at 11:30 p.m. Eastern on NBC and Peacock.
