Swimsuit Models Invade MSG

Andy Gray | Mar 7, 2013

SI Swimsuit Models :: Andy Gray/SI

On Thursday, the Sports Illustrated swimsuit rookies -- Natasha Barnard, Hannah Davis, Kate Bock and Emily DiDonato -- joined second-year model Nina Agdal at Madison Square Garden for the Knicks-Thunder game. It was also a night to pass the torch as Nina, the 2012 Rookie Award winner, presented the 2013 Rookie of the Year Award (sponsored by Ram) to Kate Bock. This is the fourth year for the award (previous winners include Chrissy Teigen (2010), Kate Upton (2011) and Nina Agdal (2012). Here is Kate's acceptance speech (with some dancing by Nina at the end).

But it was really a night to celebrate all the rookies, and what better way to celebrate then a luxury box at the World's Most Famous Arena. As you can see below, it was a memorable evening.

ROOKIE PROFILES:Kate Bock | Emily DiDonato | Hannah Davis | Natasha Barnard

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Natasha and Emily catch up as they walk to their seats.

Natasha Barnard and Emily DiDonato :: Andy Gray/SI

The former and current Rookie of the Year - Nina and Kate - embrace below a Sports Illustrated poster.

Kate Bock and Nina Agdal :: MJ Day/SI

Emily and Hannah pose during a break in the action.

Emily DiDonato and Hannah Davis :: Andy Gray/SI

The models make an appearance on the scoreboard early in the second quarter.

SI Swimsuit Models :: Andy Gray/SI

Natasha and Nina love when I take photos of the eating.

Natasha Barnard and Nina Agdal :: Andy Gray/SI

Hannah and Emily get photobombed.

Hannah Davis and Emily DiDonato :: MJ Day/SI

Just when you think the night can't get any better, Knicks legend Larry Johnson walks in. I was angry with myself after for not having him do the "LJ" in this photo so I added it in the top right. Also worth noting that when Johnson won the 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year, Nina wasn't born yet and Kate was a year old.

SI Swimsuit Models and Larry Johnson :: MJ Day/SI

Former Syracuse star John Wallace must've heard about the models from LJ because he joined us a few minutes later.

Kate Bock, John Wallace and Nina Agdal :: MJ Day/SI

Hannah and Emily (wearing her favorite leather jacket) pose during a lull in the action.

Hannah Davis and Emily DiDonato :: Hillary Drezner/SI

Kate and Nina sandwich SI senior editor MJ Day, who runs the swimsuit issue.

Kate Bock, MJ Day and Nina Agdal :: Andy Gray/SI

Did I mention that this was Hannah's first-ever NBA game. Same for Kate.

Hannah Davis :: MJ Day/SI

Last but not least, a group shot of the girls inside the World's Most Famous Arena.

Emily DiDonato, Kate Bock, Hannah Davis, Nina Agdal and Natasha Barnard :: MJ Day/SI