Jalen Brunson is an American basketball player who is the starting point guard for the New York Knicks. Hailing from New Brunswick, New Jersey, Brunson’s NBA journey began when the Dallas Mavericks selected him with the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2018 Draft. Prior to the NBA, Brunson's college career was remarkable. He started at Villanova University as an undersized point guard but quickly made a name for himself as a lethal offensive player. He played for three seasons, and led Villanova to the NCAA championship in his freshman and junior season.
In 2017-18, Brunson swept college player of the year awards, winning the USBWA Oscar Robertson Trophy, the Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year, the Naismith College Player of the Year, and the Bob Cousy Award amongst others. For his glittering career at Villanova, Brunson was named the college basketball player of the decade by Sporting News. Today, while playing for the Knicks in the NBA, Brunson is known for his sharpshooting from the perimeter and 3-point line. In the 2022-23 season, he averaged an impressive 41.6% from beyond the arc. Brunson’s nifty ball-handling skills often leave defenders bewildered, allowing him to find his sweet spots on the court. Brunson's sweet spot is around the 15-foot mark, where he excels as a stop-and-pop jump shooter. However, his real specialty is his deadly left-handed floater that he can knock down the tallest and best defenders in the NBA. As a point guard, he not only scores but also excels in playmaking, dishing out a career-high 6.2 assists per game in the 2022-23 season.
Which high school did Jalen Brunson go to?
Jalen Brunson went to Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire. He played at point guard for the Stevenson Patriots basketball team.
Was Jalen Brunson a 5 star recruit?
Jalen Brunson was a 5-star recruit while playing for Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire. Brunson’s basketball journey was deeply influenced by his NBA-experienced father, Rick Brunson. Growing up with a basketball pro in the family provided Jalen with invaluable insights and guidance that helped shape his game.
In his freshman season, Brunson faced the challenges of being undersized and struggled to make a significant impact on the court. However, by his sophomore season, Brunson began to shine. He led his team to an impressive 19-game winning streak before narrowly losing in the championship game to Jabari Parker and Kendrick Nunn's three-time defending state champion - Simeon Career Academy.
It was Brunson’s junior season where he truly blossomed. He achieved a remarkable feat by scoring 57 points in a double-overtime victory over Lake Forest High School. His outstanding performance continued throughout the season, with an average of 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.9 steals per game. He led the Patriots to a brilliant 32–2 record. His incredible junior season earned him the prestigious title of Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Illinois.
After the conclusion of the 2014-15 season, Brunson was regarded as a five-star prospect by all scouting reports. In what was regarded as a weak point guard class, Brunson was the only point guard that was ranked in the top 25 players. That summer, Brunson was one of the most highly sought-after point guard prospects by colleges and universities for their basketball programs.
FAQs
A. Jalen Brunson was selected in the 2018 NBA draft as the 33rd overall pick.
A. Born on August 31, 1996, Jalen Brunson is 28 years old.
A. Jalen Brunson played for Villanova during his college career.
A. Brunson went to Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire.
A. On July 29, 2023, Jalen Brunson tied the knot with his high school love, Ali Marks.