The series alum shared his thoughts on the NBA champion's casting aspirations
NEED TO KNOW
- Christopher Meloni says Jalen Brunson has what it takes to land a role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- Brunson previously told reporters that he wanted to “try and get on” the show after scoring his first NBA title
- “He’s got the force of will,” Meloni told TMZ when asked about Brunson’s hopeful casting
Jalen Brunson has Christopher Meloni's stamp of approval.
Meloni, 65, sounded off on Brunson's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit casting aspirations on Saturday, June 20, telling TMZ that the NBA Finals MVP, 29, "absolutely" has what it takes to appear on the series.
"I don't know if you heard, but he's the world champion," Meloni said. "He can do whatever the hell he wants."
When asked if that means he has a chance, Meloni added, "He's got the force of will."
Credit: Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty
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Meloni's cosign comes just days after Brunson revealed what's next on his bucket list during a post-championship chat with reporters: "Try to get on SVU," he said on June 13.
Brunson and the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals this month, earning the franchise its first Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in 53 years. Throughout the playoffs, Brunson was cheered on by SVU star and pal Mariska Hargitay, who made it to Madison Square Garden for multiple games and even sent him a congratulatory text during their NBA Finals run.
The now-NBA champion has opened up about his friendship with the SVU star in the past, sharing on the Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson & Josh Hart last year that he recalled his dad "always watching the show."
"I've never been like super super like starstruck — super starstruck," he said of Hargitay. "I saw her, I was like 'Oh s—.' The first time we met, it was awesome. We talked and everything."
Credit: Erik Pendzich / BACKGRID
During an appearance on the Today show on June 8, pegged to her Broadway debut in Every Brilliant Thing, the actress said Brunson has been inspirational for her. "I just thought about him and his inspiration and his humility and his work ethic, to say, 'You can do hard things. No matter what you can do hard things,'" she said. "I love him."
She added, "He is so singular, and magnificent. He is a magnificent human.”
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