When do Bucks visit the White House? NBA champions set to become first team since 2016 to make trip

Yash Matange

When do Bucks visit the White House? NBA champions set to become first team since 2016 to make trip image

For the first time in five years, the NBA champions will visit the White House.

As first reported by ESPN, the Milwaukee Bucks are scheduled to visit the White House on Monday, Nov. 8.

US Presidents have typically hosted champions of major college tournaments and professional leagues. The first NBA champion to visit the White House were the Boston Celtics, who met President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

However, the Bucks visit marked the first time that an NBA team will visit the White House since the Cleveland Cavaliers were hosted by Barack Obama in 2016.

Golden State Warriors (2017, 2018) and the Toronto Raptors - three of the four previous NBA champions - didn't visit the White House during Donald Trump's presidency. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers — the 2020 Champions — skipped their tour because of COVID-19 protocols.

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Traditionally, teams have scheduled their visit to the President's residence on a road trip when they would play the Washington Wizards. 

Monday's trip to the White House falls between road games on Sunday in Washington against the Wizards and Tuesday in Philadelphia againist the 76ers, giving them a day in-between to enjoy the festivities as the reigning NBA Champions at the White House. 

“We’re very excited, very appreciative of the invite,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Saturday. “We know it’s an honor and special, and we’re looking forward to visiting the White House.”

The 2021 NBA championship was the second for the Bucks in franchise history and came exactly 50 years since their previous title in 1971. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo, who went on to be named NBA Finals MVP, capped off their 2021 title run with an epic 50-point performance in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. 

 

Yash Matange

Yash Matange Photo