History of Jalen Brunson in Timeline
Jalen Brunson is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks. He was drafted 33rd overall in 2018 by the Dallas Mavericks, where he played for four seasons. Notably, Brunson played college basketball at Villanova University, achieving National Player of the Year honors in his junior year and securing two national championships.
1961: Knicks Franchise Record 30-Point Games
Richie Guerin set the Knicks franchise record for 30-point games in a single season with 36 in 1961-62.
1965: Dick Barnett's Scoring Streak
New York Knicks guard Dick Barnett scores 25 or more points in 12 consecutive games.
1973: Consecutive 35+-point/10+-assist Games
Oscar Robertson achieved three 35+-point/10+-assist games in the 1973 NBA playoffs.
1984: Back-to-Back 40+ Point Games
Bernard King achieved back-to-back games with 40 or more points for the Knicks in 1984.
1984: Knicks Single-Game Playoff Record
Bernard King scored 46 points twice during the 1984 NBA playoffs.
March 18, 1988: Jordan's Historic Game
Michael Jordan scores at least 50 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals in a game.
1989: Closing Out Playoff Series with Consecutive 40+ Point Games
Michael Jordan closed out an NBA playoff series with three consecutive 40+-point games, famously including "The Shot", in the 1989 NBA playoffs.
1989: Knicks Franchise Record 30-Point Games
Patrick Ewing tied the Knicks franchise record for 30-point games in a single season with 36 in 1989-90.
1994: USA Basketball U18 Single-Game Assist Record
Stephon Marbury set the USA Basketball U18 single-game assist record with 12 assists against Brazil in the 1994 FIBA Americas U18 Championship.
August 31, 1996: Jalen Brunson was born
Jalen Marquis Brunson was born on August 31, 1996.
November 1996: Highest Single-Month Plus-Minus
Scottie Pippen set the NBA record for the highest single-month plus-minus in November 1996 with 272.
2001: Erica Brunson is born
Jalen Brunson's sister, Erica, was born around 2001.
February 4, 2003: Sprewell's Perfect Three-Point Shooting
New York Knicks player Latrell Sprewell makes all 9 of his three-point attempts in a game.
April 14, 2006: Gordon Ties Sprewell's Record
Ben Gordon ties Latrell Sprewell's record by making all 9 of his three-point attempts in a game while playing for the Chicago Bulls.
2010: The Brunson family settles in Lincolnshire, Illinois
The Brunson family moved seven times before settling in Lincolnshire, Illinois, in 2010, where Jalen played his high school career for Stevenson High School.
March 21, 2012: Gordon Ties Record Again
Ben Gordon ties the record for most three-pointers in a game without a miss again, this time while playing for the Detroit Pistons.
2012: Consecutive 35+ Point Games
Carmelo Anthony achieved 6 consecutive games with 35+ points in the 2012-13 season.
2012: Jalen Brunson receives All-Lake County Honorable Mention
Jalen Brunson was an All-Lake County honorable mention selection during his freshman year at Stevenson High School.
March 16, 2013: Stevenson High School reaches the IHSA Class 4A championship game
Jalen Brunson led Stevenson High School to the IHSA Class 4A championship game but lost to Simeon Career Academy.
2013: Early High School Career
Brunson's high school team, Stevenson, lost in the IHSA tournament final four to teams led by future NBA players Jabari Parker and Jahlil Okafor.
January 24, 2014: Knicks Franchise Record
Carmelo Anthony set the Knicks franchise record for points in a single game on January 24, 2014.
February 21, 2014: Jalen Brunson scores 57 points in a game
Jalen Brunson scored 57 points in a double-overtime victory over Lake Forest High School, setting both the school's single-game and career scoring records.
April 2014: Several universities show interest in Jalen Brunson
Illinois, Purdue, Kansas, and Villanova had in-home visits with Jalen Brunson as they showed interest in recruiting him to play college basketball for them.
May 3, 2014: Jalen Brunson narrows down his college choices
Jalen Brunson announced the eight schools he was considering playing college basketball for: UConn, Michigan State, Illinois, Kansas, Purdue, Villanova, Michigan, and Temple.
May 5, 2014: Invitation to USA Basketball U18 Team Tryouts
Jalen Brunson was one of 21 athletes invited to try out for the 12-member USA national team for the 2014 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship.
2014: Early High School Career
Brunson's high school team, Stevenson, lost in the IHSA tournament final four to teams led by future NBA players Jabari Parker and Jahlil Okafor.
June 18, 2015: Member of the USA U19 World Cup Team
Jalen Brunson was announced as a member of the 12-man 2015 USA Basketball Men's U19 World Cup Team.
2015: High School Accomplishments
Jalen Brunson participated in the McDonald's All-American Boys Game, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoop Summit. He led Stevenson High School to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 4A championship and won Illinois Mr. Basketball. He was also named MVP of the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
2015: Freshman Season at Villanova
Jalen Brunson started his college basketball career at Villanova, debuting with 12 points and 4 assists against Fairleigh Dickinson. He had strong performances in early season tournaments, scoring 18 points against Stanford and achieving a career-high 22 points against Penn. These performances earned him Big East Freshman of the Week honors.
2015: Preseason College Recognition and Expectations
Jalen Brunson started his college career at Villanova with high expectations. He was named the Big East Preseason Freshman of the Year and was included on the Bob Cousy Award watchlist, which recognizes the top point guard in college basketball. National media outlets also recognized Brunson's talent, with ESPN and NBC Sports ranking him among the top 50 players in the country. His team, Villanova, was unanimously chosen as the preseason favorite to win the Big East conference. These accolades and rankings demonstrated the anticipation surrounding Brunson's freshman season and the belief in his potential to make an immediate impact at the college level.
2015: High School Senior Year and Commitment to Villanova
Jalen Brunson started his senior year at Stevenson High School as the number one point guard in the national class of 2015. He announced his decision to commit to Villanova on September 10th, choosing them over Illinois. Stevenson High was a top-ranked team nationally, with high expectations after close losses in previous state tournaments. The team had a strong start, including an impressive 48-point performance by Brunson in a close loss to Chaminade Prep. They faced tough competition, including a game against Findlay Prep featuring future NBA player Allonzo Trier. Brunson was named to prestigious rosters like the McDonald's All-American game and the Nike Hoop Summit. Despite a strong season, Stevenson lost in the state tournament to Simeon, a team with multiple future Big Ten players.
2015: Recognition and Rankings
Jalen Brunson was recognized as a top point guard prospect in a relatively weak class. He was ranked in the top 25 players nationally and was voted the best passer in high school basketball by his peers. This recognition highlighted his talent and potential as he entered his senior year.
2015: LaFrentz's Shooting Feat
Raef LaFrentz becomes the first NBA player to make all 7 of his three-point attempts in a half.
2015: Historic High School Championship and Accolades
Jalen Brunson led Stevenson to their first-ever IHSA state championship, setting a title game record with 30 points in a dominant win over Normal Community High School. This win marked the first state championship for a Lake County school and capped off a remarkable year for Stevenson, which also won the football state championship. Brunson's performance solidified his place as one of the top players in the state, earning him Illinois Mr. Basketball honors, ahead of other notable players like Charles Matthews. He was also named Gatorade Player of the Year for the second consecutive year and received numerous accolades, including McDonald's All-American, Parade All-American, and a spot on the USA Today All-USA high school basketball team. He showcased his skills in national events like the Nike Hoop Summit and the Jordan Brand Classic, solidifying his ranking as one of the top point guards in his class.
October 16, 2016: Davis's Dominant Performance
Anthony Davis records 50 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals in a game.
2016: Brunson's Senior Year Continues
Brunson continued his strong senior year, facing top-ranked point guard Derryck Thornton Jr. and Findlay Prep at the Hoophall Classic. Despite scoring 26 points, Stevenson lost their second game of the season. Brunson was named to the McDonald's All-American game and the Nike Hoop Summit. Stevenson lost to Simeon, ending a 22-game in-state winning streak. Brunson was named to the Jordan Brand Classic roster.
2016: NCAA Championship and Accolades
Jalen Brunson played a key role in Villanova's journey to win the 2016 NCAA Championship. The Wildcats became the first team in school history to achieve a No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll. Brunson continued to excel, earning a spot on the Big East All-Freshman Team. In a crucial game against Kansas, he made two game-clinching free throws to secure Villanova's place in the Final Four. In the championship game, Brunson started and contributed to Villanova's 77-74 victory over North Carolina, securing the national title.
2016: Brunson's Sophomore Year at Villanova
Jalen Brunson started his sophomore year at Villanova with numerous preseason accolades, including selections to the Bob Cousy Award watchlist and All-Big East honorable mention.
February 10, 2017: Anthony's Shooting Prowess
Carmelo Anthony makes 5 of 5 three-pointers in a quarter and 6 of 6 in a half while playing for the New York Knicks.
December 30, 2017: Villanova's First Loss and Brunson's 31 Points
Jalen Brunson scored 31 points in Villanova's first loss of the season against Butler.
2017: Brunson's Stellar Junior Year
Brunson had an extraordinary junior year, filled with accolades and championships. He was named Big East Player of the Year, Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and a consensus first-team All-American. He also received the prestigious Wooden Award, Naismith College Player of the Year, and numerous other awards. Notably, Brunson led Villanova to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, earning the Most Outstanding Player award for the East Region. Following his successful season, Brunson declared for the 2018 NBA Draft.
2017: Brunson's Breakout Sophomore Season
Brunson helped lead Villanova to the top spot in NCAA rankings and contributed significantly to their undefeated start. His impressive performances earned him Big East Player of the Week recognition and a spot on the Naismith Award Top 30 watch list. He also achieved his first career double-double and was unanimously selected to the All-Big East first team. He opted to return to Villanova for his junior year.
2017: Villanova National Championship
Jalen Brunson was named the National Player of the Year for his role in the Villanova Wildcats' 2017-18 national championship season.
June 21, 2018: Drafted by Dallas Mavericks
Jalen Brunson was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 33rd pick in the 2018 NBA draft. This marked the fourth Villanova player selected in that draft. Brunson opted to sign his four-year contract after the NBA Summer League, securing a deal similar to first-round picks with three guaranteed years.
October 17, 2018: Brunson's NBA Debut
Jalen Brunson made his NBA debut with the Dallas Mavericks, recording 3 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in a loss against the Phoenix Suns.
2018: College Success and National Recognition
Jalen Brunson was a Consensus first-team 2018 All-American and the National Player of the Year for the 2017-18 Villanova Wildcats, who also won the national championship.
2018: Jalen Brunson is drafted into the NBA
Jalen Brunson was drafted with the 33rd overall selection of the 2018 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks.
2018: Brunson's Junior Year and Transition to the NBA
Jalen Brunson concluded a successful junior year at Villanova, garnering numerous accolades and a national championship title. He decided to declare for the 2018 NBA Draft.
March 12, 2019: Career-High Scoring Night
Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 34 points against the San Antonio Spurs, despite the Mavericks' loss.
December 16, 2019: Ending the Bucks' Winning Streak
With Luka Dončić absent, Jalen Brunson led the Dallas Mavericks to end the Milwaukee Bucks' 18-game winning streak, achieving a career-high 11 assists and his first double-double of the season.
December 17, 2019: Brunson Named College Basketball Player of the Decade
Sporting News named Jalen Brunson the college basketball player of the decade.
March 13, 2020: Shoulder Surgery
Jalen Brunson underwent surgery for a labrum injury in his right shoulder.
2021: Increase in 7-for-7 Three-Point Shooting Halves
Before the 2021-22 NBA season, 5 players had made all 7 of their three-point attempts in a half. However, this feat started to occur more frequently, with at least 3 occurrences in each of the prior two NBA seasons.
2021: Brunson Becomes Starter, Achieves Career Highs
Jalen Brunson becomes a starter for the Dallas Mavericks and finishes the season with career-highs in points, rebounds, and assists.
April 16, 2022: Brunson's Playoff Debut
Jalen Brunson logs 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 93-99 playoff loss against the Utah Jazz.
June 2, 2022: Brunson's Father Joins Knicks Coaching Staff
Rick Brunson, Jalen Brunson's father, is hired as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks.
July 12, 2022: Brunson Signs with the Knicks
Jalen Brunson signs a four-year, $104 million contract with the New York Knicks. However, the Knicks are later penalized for engaging in discussions with Brunson before the official free agency period.
September 21, 2022: Engagement
Jalen Brunson announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend, Ali Marks.
2022: Jalen Brunson signs with the New York Knicks
After four years with the Dallas Mavericks, Jalen Brunson signed with the New York Knicks as a free agent after helping the Mavericks reach the Western Conference finals.
January 4, 2023: Brunson Scores 38 Points Against the Spurs
Jalen Brunson scores 38 points, grabs 7 rebounds, and dishes out 6 assists in a 117-114 win against the San Antonio Spurs.
June 4, 2023: Commitment to USA Basketball World Cup Team
News broke that Jalen Brunson was one of the first commitments to the 2023 USA Basketball World Cup team.
July 29, 2023: Marriage
Jalen Brunson married Ali Marks at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago.
November 20, 2023: Brunson's Second Player of the Week Award
Jalen Brunson wins his second NBA Player of the Week award following a 3-1 week for the Knicks in which he averages 28.5 points and 6.5 assists.
January 1, 2024: Career-High Assists
Jalen Brunson achieved a career-high 14 assists in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking OG Anunoby's debut with the Knicks.
2024: Jalen Brunson becomes an NBA All-Star
Jalen Brunson became an NBA All-Star for the first time in 2024 while playing for the New York Knicks. He also set the NBA record for most three-point shots made in a half without a miss (8) and tied the NBA record for most three-point shots made in a single game without a miss (9).
2024: Invitation to Olympic Games
The USA Basketball World Cup team secured an invitation to the 2024 Olympic Games.