Villanova's gift to New York — transformed the Knicks into a legitimate contender through sheer will and skill.
Jalen Brunson was born in Rockford, Illinois in 1996, the son of former NBA player Rick Brunson. He attended Villanova University where he won two NCAA championships (2016, 2018) and the 2018 Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. Dallas Mavericks selected him 33rd overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. He developed steadily through four Dallas seasons before the New York Knicks signed him for four years and $104 million in 2022. He has since averaged 22.0 points and 6.6 assists per game in New York and has been selected to two All-Star games. He led the Knicks to the second round of the playoffs in 2023 and the conference semi-finals in 2024 — his deepest playoff run in years. He was named All-NBA Second Team in 2024. He won Olympic gold with the USA at Paris 2024. His scoring — methodical, patient and built on footwork and misdirection rather than athleticism — recalls pre-athletic-revolution guards of previous eras. His calm under pressure — he averages more points in the fourth quarter than any other period — has made him the defining Knicks player of the post-Derek Jeter era of New York sports.
Elite playmaking, clutch performances, leading Knicks resurgence
How They Played
Score-first point guard with excellent court vision and leadership
Lasting Impact
Dynamic point guard who became franchise cornerstone for Knicks
All-Star 2x
Career Honours
- All-Star 2x
- All-NBA Second Team
- Olympic Gold Medal (2024)