History of Jalen Brunson in Timeline

Jalen Brunson, nicknamed "Brunson Burner," is an American professional basketball player currently with the New York Knicks. He was drafted 33rd overall in 2018 by the Dallas Mavericks, where he spent his first four NBA seasons. Brunson achieved significant success in college basketball at Villanova University, earning National Player of the Year honors during his junior year and securing two national championships.

Sections (4)

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

1961: Richie Guerin's Knicks Record

In 1961-62, Richie Guerin tied the Knicks franchise single-season 30-point games record with his 36th which Brunson tied on April 11, 2024.

1973: Oscar Robertson's Playoff Record

In the 1973 NBA playoffs, Oscar Robertson had three 35+-point/10+-assist games in a series, a feat Brunson matched in a later series.

1984: Bernard King's Playoff Record

During the 1984 NBA playoffs, Bernard King twice scored 46 points, a record Brunson surpassed with 47 points in Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

1989: Patrick Ewing's Knicks Record

In 1989-90, Patrick Ewing tied the Knicks franchise single-season 30-point games record with his 36th which Brunson tied on April 11, 2024.

1989: Michael Jordan's Playoff Record

In the 1989 NBA playoffs, Michael Jordan closed out a playoff series with 3 consecutive 40+-point games, a feat Brunson replicated.

1993: Michael Jordan's NBA Finals Record

In the 1993 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan was the last player before Brunson to score 40+ points in four consecutive playoff games.

1994: Stephon Marbury's Assist Record

In the 1994 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, Stephon Marbury recorded 12 assists against Brazil. This record was surpassed by Brunson who recorded 13 assists against Uruguay on June 15, 2014.

August 31, 1996: Jalen Brunson's Birth

On August 31, 1996, Jalen Marquis Brunson was born. He is now a professional basketball player in the NBA, playing for the New York Knicks.

Others born on this day/year

November 1996: Scottie Pippen's NBA Plus-Minus Record

In November 1996, Scottie Pippen set the NBA record for the highest single-month plus-minus with 272, which was referenced when Jalen Brunson achieved the second-highest single-month plus-minus in January 2024 with 256.

2001: Birth of sister, Erica Brunson

Around 2001, Jalen Brunson's sister, Erica Brunson, was born.

2010: Family Settles in Lincolnshire, Illinois

In 2010, the Brunson family settled in Lincolnshire, Illinois, where Jalen played high school basketball for Stevenson High School.

2012: All-Lake County honorable mention

In 2012, as a freshman, Jalen Brunson was an All–Lake County honorable mention selection.

2012: Carmelo Anthony's Scoring Record

In 2012-13, Carmelo Anthony posted 6 consecutive 35+-point games, which was referenced when Brunson became the third Knick to achieve 5 consecutive 35+-point games on April 11, 2024.

March 16, 2013: IHSA Class 4A Championship Game Appearance

On March 16, 2013, Brunson led Stevenson to the IHSA Class 4A championship game, where they lost to Simeon Career Academy.

2013: IHSA tournament appearance

In 2013, Jalen Brunson lost in the IHSA tournament final four.

January 24, 2014: Carmelo Anthony's Knicks Franchise Record

On January 24, 2014, Carmelo Anthony set the Knicks franchise record which Brunson was one point shy of matching on March 29, 2024.

February 21, 2014: School Scoring Records

On February 21, 2014, Brunson scored 57 points in a game against Lake Forest High School, setting school single-game and career scoring records.

April 2014: College Visits

In April 2014, several universities, including Illinois, Purdue, Kansas, and Villanova, conducted in-home visits with Jalen Brunson.

May 3, 2014: Top College Choices

On May 3, 2014, Jalen Brunson announced the eight schools he was considering for college basketball: UConn, Michigan State, Illinois, Kansas, Purdue, Villanova, Michigan, and Temple.

May 5, 2014: Invited to USA U18 Team Tryouts

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

2014: IHSA tournament appearance

In 2014, Jalen Brunson lost in the IHSA tournament final four.

June 18, 2015: Named to USA Basketball U19 Team

On June 18, 2015, Jalen Brunson was selected as a member of the 12-man 2015 USA Basketball Men's U19 World Cup Team for the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.

2015: IHSA Class 4A Championship

In 2015, Brunson led Stevenson to the IHSA Class 4A title, setting a title-game record with 30 points. He was also named Illinois Mr. Basketball.

2015: Participation in All-Star Games and FIBA World Cup

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

2015: Start of College Basketball Career

In 2015, Jalen Brunson started his college basketball career with 12 points and 4 assists against Fairleigh Dickinson Knights.

2015: Preseason Watchlists and Rankings

In 2015, Jalen Brunson was selected to the Bob Cousy Award preseason watchlist, named Big East Conference Preseason Freshman of the Year by coaches, and ranked among the top 50 college basketball players by ESPN and NBC Sports.

2015: Player Ranking

In 2015, Jalen Brunson was the only point guard ranked in the top 25 players at the conclusion of the class of 2015's junior season and was voted best passer by his peers.

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: NBA Draft

In 2016, Jalen Brunson was considered for the NBA Draft.

2016: NCAA Championship with Villanova

In 2016, Jalen Brunson won the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament championship with the Villanova Wildcats, defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels.

2016: Ascension 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.

December 30, 2017: Brunson Scores 31 Points in Loss to Butler

On December 30, 2017, Jalen Brunson scored 31 points in a game against Butler, marking the first loss of the season for Villanova.

2017: All-Big East First Team

Following the regular season, Jalen Brunson was a unanimous selection to the 2016–17 All-Big East first team. He also decided to return to Villanova for his junior season.

2017: National Championship with Villanova Wildcats

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

June 21, 2018: Drafted by Dallas Mavericks

On June 21, 2018, Jalen Brunson was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 33rd overall pick in the NBA draft, becoming the fourth Villanova player selected in the 2018 draft.

October 17, 2018: NBA Debut

On October 17, 2018, Jalen Brunson made his NBA debut with the Dallas Mavericks, recording three points, one rebound, and one assist in a loss against the Phoenix Suns.

2018: Drafted into the NBA

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

2018: National Player of the Year

In 2018, Jalen Brunson was named the National Player of the Year and a Consensus first-team All-American.

March 12, 2019: Career-High 34 Points Against Spurs

On March 12, 2019, Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 34 points, along with five rebounds and four assists, in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

December 16, 2019: Mavericks End Bucks' Win Streak

On December 16, 2019, with Luka Dončić out and Jalen Brunson starting, the Mavericks ended the Milwaukee Bucks' 18-game win streak, with Brunson posting a career-high 11 assists and his first double-double of the season, scoring 13 points.

December 17, 2019: College Basketball Player of the Decade

On December 17, 2019, Jalen Brunson was named college basketball player of the decade by Sporting News.

March 13, 2020: Shoulder Surgery

On March 13, 2020, Jalen Brunson underwent surgery to repair a labrum injury in his right shoulder.

April 16, 2022: Playoffs Game 1

On April 16, 2022, in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs, Jalen Brunson scored 24 points, had seven rebounds, and five assists in a 93–99 loss to the Utah Jazz.

June 2, 2022: Father Hired by Knicks

On June 2, 2022, Jalen Brunson's father was hired by the New York Knicks as an assistant coach.

July 12, 2022: Signed with New York Knicks

On July 12, 2022, Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the New York Knicks.

September 21, 2022: Engagement to Ali Marks

On September 21, 2022, Jalen Brunson announced his engagement to his longtime girlfriend, Ali Marks, at Stevenson High School's gymnasium after his induction into the school's athletic Hall of Fame.

2022: Signed with the New York Knicks

In 2022, after playing for the Dallas Mavericks, Jalen Brunson signed with the New York Knicks as a free agent.

January 4, 2023: Scores 38 points against Spurs

On January 4, 2023, Jalen Brunson scored 38 points, alongside seven rebounds and six assists in a 117–114 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

June 4, 2023: Commitment to Team USA for FIBA 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 29, 2023: Wedding to Ali Marks

On July 29, 2023, Jalen Brunson married Ali Marks at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, with current and former teammates in attendance. The wedding was moved from September 2 due to Brunson's selection to the United States men's national basketball team.

November 20, 2023: NBA Player of the Week Award

On November 20, 2023, Jalen Brunson earned his second NBA Player of the Week award, with the Knicks going 3–1 while he averaged 28.5 points and 6.5 assists.

January 1, 2024: Career-High Assists Against Timberwolves

On January 1, 2024, Jalen Brunson achieved a career-high of 14 assists against the Minnesota Timberwolves during OG Anunoby's debut with the Knicks.

June 28, 2024: WWE SmackDown Appearance

On June 28, 2024, Jalen Brunson made an appearance on WWE SmackDown at Madison Square Garden, alongside Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.

August 6, 2024: Named Knicks Captain

On August 6, 2024, Jalen Brunson was named the 36th captain in the history of the New York Knicks franchise.

August 2024: Birth of First Child

In August 2024, Jalen Brunson and Ali Marks announced the birth of their first child, who was born on July 31.

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

In 2024, Jalen Brunson became an NBA All-Star and received an All-NBA Team selection for the first time. He also set and tied NBA records for three-point shots made in a half and single-game without a miss, respectively.

2024: Olympic Games Invitation Secured

In 2024, Team USA secured an invitation to the Olympic Games after finishing high enough (top 2 in the Americas) in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.