Career Timeline of Jalen Brunson: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Jalen Brunson built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jalen Brunson is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the New York Knicks in the NBA. Drafted 33rd overall in 2018 by the Dallas Mavericks, he spent his first four seasons with them. Before entering the NBA, Brunson had a successful college basketball career at Villanova University, where he earned national player of the year honors during his junior year and won two national championships.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1973: Second NBA player with 35+ points/10+ assists in NBA playoff series

In the 1973 NBA playoffs, Jalen Brunson became the second NBA player since Oscar Robertson, to have three 35+-point/10+-assist games in an NBA playoff series.

1984: Knicks Single-Game Playoff Record

In the 1984 NBA playoffs, Brunson tallied a performance of 46 points, twice equalling the Knicks' single-game playoff record. This record was attained during Game 4 of the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers.

1989: Consecutive 40+-point games in NBA playoff series

In the 1989 NBA playoffs, Jalen Brunson became the first player to close out an NBA playoff series with 3 consecutive 40+-point games since Michael Jordan.

1993: Brunson scored 40+ in four consecutive playoff games

In the 1993 NBA Finals, Jalen Brunson became the 4th player in NBA history since Jordan to score 40+ in four consecutive playoff games.

1994: Stephon Marbury's record broken in 1994

In 2014, during the FIBA Americas U18 Championship, Jalen Brunson surpassed Stephon Marbury's 12 assists against Brazil in the 1994 FIBA Americas U18 Championship by recording 13 against Uruguay.

1997: Highest scorer in fourth quarters since 1997

In the NBA playoffs, Jalen Brunson became the highest scorer in fourth quarters through the first 10 games of a playoffs since 1997, surpassing Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry.

February 21, 2014: Scored 57 Points in a Double Overtime Victory

On February 21, 2014, as a junior, Jalen Brunson scored 57 points in a double overtime victory over Lake Forest High School, setting school single-game and career scoring records.

March 21, 2014: Scored 56 Points in State Playoff Semi-Final Loss

On March 21, 2014, Jalen Brunson set the IHSA playoff single game scoring record against Whitney Young High School, scoring 56 points in a 75–68 state playoff semi-final loss.

May 5, 2014: Invited to USA Basketball Tryouts

On May 5, 2014, Jalen Brunson was among the 21 athletes invited by USA Basketball to try out for the 12-member USA national team for the 2014 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship.

June 18, 2015: Named to USA Basketball U19 World Cup Team

On June 18, 2015, Jalen Brunson was named to the 12-man 2015 USA Basketball Men's U19 World Cup Team for the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.

2015: Participation in All-Star Games and FIBA

In 2015, Brunson participated in the McDonald's All-American Boys Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit. He also won MVP of the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.

2015: Led Stevenson to IHSA Class 4A Title

In 2015, Jalen Brunson led Stevenson to their first state championship as Lake county school with an IHSA Class 4A title-game record 30 points in a 57–40 victory over Normal Community High School.

2015: Bob Cousy Award Watchlist

In 2015, Jalen Brunson was a selection to the 20-man Bob Cousy Award preseason watchlist. He was also selected as the 2015–16 Big East Conference Preseason Freshman of the Year by the conference coaches.

2015: Earned Big East Freshman of the Week

On December 28, 2015, Jalen Brunson posted a then career-high 22 points against Penn. The 22-point effort was part of a 3–0 week for Villanova in which Brunson averaged 15.3 points and earned Big East Freshman of the Week.

2015: McDonald's All-American Game Roster

On January 28, 2015, Jalen Brunson was named to the 2015 McDonald's All-American Boys Game roster.

2016: NCAA Championship Win

In 2016, the Villanova Wildcats won the championship game of the NCAA tournament by defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 77–74, with Jalen Brunson as a starter.

2016: Ascended to Top Position

On December 5, 2016, the Villanova Wildcats ascended into the top position in the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings.

2017: Named National Player of the Year

During the 2017-2018 season, Jalen Brunson was named the national player of the year for the championship season of the Villanova Wildcats.

2017: All-Big East First Team Selection

Following the 2016-2017 regular season, Jalen Brunson was one of four unanimous selections to the All-Big East first team.

2018: Drafted by Dallas Mavericks

In 2018, Jalen Brunson was drafted with the 33rd overall selection by the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA. He played his first four seasons in the NBA with them.

2018: Named All-American

In 2018, Jalen Brunson was named a consensus first-team All-American for the championship season of the 2017–18 Villanova Wildcats.

2022: Signed with the New York Knicks

In 2022, after playing four years with the Dallas Mavericks and helping them reach the Western Conference finals, Jalen Brunson signed with the New York Knicks as a free agent.

June 4, 2023: Commitment to Team USA for 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup

On June 4, 2023, Jalen Brunson was one of the first commitments to Team USA for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

July 12, 2024: Brunson Signs Contract Extension

On July 12, 2024, Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension with the New York Knicks through the 2028-29 season, two years to the day of his initial signing with the team.

2024: USA secured a 2024 Olympic Games invitation

In 2023, Team USA finished fourth in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, securing a 2024 Olympic Games invitation.

2024: Named NBA All-Star and All-NBA Team

In 2024, Jalen Brunson was selected as an NBA All-Star and received an All-NBA Team selection for the first time while playing for the Knicks. He also set an NBA record.

January 25, 2025: Named Eastern Conference All-Star Starter

On January 25, 2025, Jalen Brunson was named as an Eastern Conference starter for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game.

2025: Led Knicks to Eastern Conference Finals

In 2025, Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years.

2025: Brunson's Contract Eligibility

In the 2025 offseason, Jalen Brunson would have been eligible for a five-year, $256 million contract but opted for a less lucrative deal to provide the team with financial flexibility.