Who drafted Jalen Brunson?

Born on August 31, 1996, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Jalen Brunson hails from a family deeply rooted in the sport. His father, Rick Brunson, enjoyed a successful NBA career, and his son inherited his passion and talent for basketball. Jalen Brunson's path to basketball stardom began at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, where he quickly established himself as a coveted five-star prospect. His high school years were marked by numerous awards, championship victories, and several 50-point performances. After his glittering high school career, Brunson embarked on his collegiate journey at Villanova University.

Despite being an undersized point guard, Brunson proved lethal on offense, earning a starting role in his freshman season and contributing significantly to Villanova's NCAA championship win. In his third season, Brunson led Villanova to another national championship. Jalen Brunson is renowned for his elite ball-handling skills, precise mid-range shooting, and his signature, nearly unguardable left-hand floater. His ability to control the tempo of the offense is a standout attribute and his exceptional ball security results in minimal turnovers. Now, Jalen Brunson plays for the New York Knicks in the NBA as a talented point guard who can guide the team to deep playoff runs in the coming seasons.

Jalen Brunson Draft

The Dallas Mavericks drafted Jalen Brunson with the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft. Brunson was the second point guard that Dallas drafted after Luka Doncic. Upon arrival, Brunson was only played as a backup point guard to Doncic for the first three seasons of his career.

On December 2019, Brunson had a breakout performance as he notched 13 points and 11 assists, guiding a Luka-less Dallas to end the Milwaukee Bucks' 18-game win streak. In the 2021-22 season, Jalen Brunson earned a starting role as a versatile combo guard and delivered improved statistical performances.

Brunson’s true star-making moment came in the 2022 playoffs. The Mavericks had already lost Game 1 and they were without their superstar Luka Doncic for Game 2 as well, but this is when Brunson took center stage. He exploded offensively to record 41 points, along with eight rebounds and five assists, securing a crucial win over the Jazz. This victory was particularly significant as the Jazz had previously won 11 straight games against the Mavericks at home. Eventually, in the 2022 off-season, Brunson was a free agent and decided to leave Dallas and sign a contract with the New York Knicks.

Why was Jalen Brunson drafted so low?

Jalen Brunson was drafted lower in the 2018 NBA Draft due to concerns about his size and athleticism. At 6 feet 1 inches (1.85 meters), he was considered undersized for an NBA point guard, and his lack of elite athleticism raised concerns about his ability to compete in the fast-paced NBA. Many NBA scouts believed that Brunson already reached his ceiling and he can not improve upon the playing style that he displayed at Villanova. When making their early draft selections, NBA teams usually prioritize higher-upside prospects with less college experience.

There were also concerns about Jalen Brunson’s defensive abilities. Many scouts reported that he faces significant defensive challenges in college, so NBA guards would be much more difficult for him to guard. Another reason for Brunson dropping the draft was that the 2018 NBA Draft featured a wealth of promising point guard prospects like Trae Young, Luka Doncic, Collin Sexton, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jalen Brunson's talent was undeniable, but this abundance of point guard talent led teams to focus on these alternatives, contributing to Brunson's lower draft position.