"He’s damn near bigger than Jay-Z" — Tennis star Frances Tiafoe gives measure of Jalen Brunson's status in New York 

Jalen Brunson has become a pretty big deal in New York after leading the Knicks to the NBA playoffs in each of his two seasons at Madison Square Garden. The star guard carried high expectations when he arrived from the Dallas Mavericks, and it's fair to say he's exceeded them.

So much so that one tennis star believes Brunson has become bigger than one of the most famous New York icons: Jay-Z. Frances Tiafoe, who's in the city playing the final grand slam of the year, the U.S. Open, was recorded praising Brunson, saying that the player rivals the legendary rapper for popularity.

"It's funny. I was actually trying to wear a Mikal Bridges [jersey] because he was coming to the match today and he texted me that he was coming to the match, but I'm just not a morning person, so I put it on and then when I took it off to go practice, I was, like, God, Jalen,” Tiafoe said.

"But yeah, Brunson, he's the man here. He's damn near bigger than Jay-Z."

Brunson's jersey and Mikal Bridges' support seemingly had a positive effect, as Tiafoe beat Alexander Shevchenko, who was forced to retire while Tiafoe was up 6-4, 6-1 and 1-0. He's now set to lock horns with Ben Shelton in a rematch of the quarterfinal classic they played last year.

Frances Tiafoe explains his connection with Jalen Brunson, other NBA players

Frances Tiafoe has represented the NBA in each of the last three editions of the U.S. Open. In 2022, he sported a Kevin Durant jersey; he then went with an Immanuel Quickley piece before picking a Jalen Brunson one for this edition. While talking to reporters, he explained his connection with NBA players.

"I'm friends with a lot of guys in the league just 'cause I follow hoops a lot, I have a lot of hoops celebrations. I did his celebration to him [Mikal Bridges] after the match and he was laughing. Yeah, it’s all just my love for hoop, and them just following me because someone of color playing tennis, that’s kind of the connection," Tiafoe said.

Tiafoe holds the 20th position in the ATP ranking, 10 positions behind his career-high rank. He's won three titles and nearly $12 million during his career, boasting a 201-184 record. The U.S. Open presents a good chance for him to add more silverware to his cabinet, but first, he'll have to move past a dangerous opponent in Shelton.