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For Shanae Sanders, a mother from Brooklyn, the Knicks’ latest playoff success is tinged with both joy and sorrow. While she revels in the team’s achievements, the celebrations also bring back memories of her son, Tristan Sanders, a passionate Knicks fan whose murder in 2024 remains unresolved.
“I just wish he was here,” Shanae expressed, reflecting on her 15-year-old son, Tristan.
During a watch party at Radio City Music Hall, Shanae couldn’t help but think, “Oh man, if he could see this with me, if we could enjoy this together. We would be hugging each other or shouting,” she shared. “We’ve been waiting for this for so long, so I am celebrating for him, too. I feel his spirit is helping them to win.”
Tristan’s life was tragically cut short on the evening of October 27, 2024. While standing with friends outside the Albany Houses public housing complex in Crown Heights, gunshots erupted, and Tristan was struck in the chest.
He was quickly taken to Kings County Hospital, where, sadly, he was pronounced dead.
The fatal shooting was part of a week-long spurt of youth violence in the Big Apple and, despite an NYPD manhunt, Tristan’s killer has never been hunted down and held accountable.
The teen, Sanders’ only child, was a freshman at Boys and Girls High School — and a basketball nut.
“I grew up watching the Knicks and I would have my son watching the games with me and he grew to love them,” Sanders said. “That was his team. I had a Knicks-themed 5th birthday for him and he loved it!”
The grieving mom is now finding a new connection with the son she lost, celebrating as the Knicks prepare to face off against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals starting Wednesday — the first time the team has reached that pinnacle since 1999 with a chance for their first champions in 53 years.
Not lost on Sanders is the fact that the historic playoff run is coming in June — which is National Gun Violence Awareness Month.
“I’m a part of this organization, NAC [Not Another Child],:” she said. “I don’t want this to keep happening because it’s disheartening. He was one of multiple young men who lost their lives at the time.”
For her, the Knicks have provided some healing.
“I’m still mourning him so it’s hard to celebrate but with them winning, it brings a little joy,” Sanders told The Post. “I just wish he was here.”