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 NBA seasons there. Brunson's college career at Villanova University was highly decorated. As a junior, he earned the National Player of the Year award. He also secured two national championships during his time playing for Villanova.
In 1965, Knicks guard Dick Barnett achieved the longest streak by a Knicks guard since Jalen Brunson, logging 25 or more points in 12 consecutive contests.
In the 1973 NBA playoffs, Oscar Robertson was the first of two NBA players to have three 35+-point/10+-assist games in an NBA playoff series.
During the 1984 NBA playoffs, Bernard King twice scored 46 points in a single game, setting a Knicks single-game playoff record at the time.
On March 18, 1988, Michael Jordan recorded at least 50 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and five steals, a feat that Jalen Brunson later matched.
During the 1989 NBA playoffs, Michael Jordan closed out an NBA playoff series with 3 consecutive 40+-point games.
In the 1993 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan was the most recent player before Jalen Brunson to score 40+ points in four consecutive playoff games.
In the 1994 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, Stephon Marbury recorded 12 assists against Brazil, a record that was later surpassed by Jalen Brunson.
On August 31, 1996, Jalen Marquis Brunson was born. He would later become a professional basketball player.
In November 1996, Scottie Pippen set the NBA record for the highest single-month plus-minus with 272.
Around 2001, Jalen Brunson's sister, Erica, was born.
On February 4, 2003, Latrell Sprewell of the New York Knicks set an NBA record by going 9-9 from the three-point line, a feat that Jalen Brunson would later tie.
On April 14, 2006, Ben Gordon, playing for the Bulls, tied the NBA record for a perfect three-point game by going 9-9, a mark later equaled by Jalen Brunson.
In 2010, the Brunson family settled in Lincolnshire, Illinois, where Jalen played high school basketball for Stevenson High School.
On March 21, 2012, Ben Gordon, playing for the Pistons, again tied the NBA record for a perfect three-point game by going 9-9, a mark later equaled by Jalen Brunson.
In 2012, Brunson was an All–Lake County honorable mention selection as a freshman.
On March 16, 2013, Brunson led Stevenson to the IHSA Class 4A championship game, losing to Simeon Career Academy.
In 2013, prior to Jalen Brunson committing to Villanova, he had losses to Parker and Okafor in the IHSA tournament final four.
On January 24, 2014, Carmelo Anthony set the Knicks franchise record for most points in a game.
On February 21, 2014, as a junior, Brunson scored 57 points in a double overtime victory over Lake Forest High School, setting school records.
On March 21, 2014, Brunson set the IHSA playoff single game scoring record against Whitney Young High School with 56 points.
On May 5, 2014, Jalen Brunson was among the 21 athletes invited to try out for the 12-member USA national team for the 2014 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship.
On September 10, 2014, Brunson committed to Villanova. He was ranked as the number one point guard in the national class of 2015 by Scout.com at the time of his decision.
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.
By the conclusion of the class of 2015's junior season, Brunson was the only point guard that was ranked in the top 25 players
In 2015, Brunson participated in the McDonald's All-American Boys Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit. He also led Stevenson to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 4A championship and won Illinois Mr. Basketball and earned the MVP of the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
In 2015, Brunson was a selection to the Bob Cousy Award preseason watchlist and was selected as the Big East Conference Preseason Freshman of the Year.
In 2015, Brunson was named Big East Freshman of the Week after averaging 15.3 points during a 3-0 week for Villanova.
In 2015, Brunson won Illinois Mr. Basketball and led Stevenson to the IHSA Class 4A title, scoring a record 30 points in the championship game.
On January 28, 2015, Brunson was named to the 2015 McDonald's All-American Boys Game roster.
Prior to 2015, 5 players had gone 7-7 in an NBA half (first by Raef LaFrentz).
On October 16, 2016, Anthony Davis recorded 50 points, five assists, and five steals, a feat that Jalen Brunson later matched.
In 2016, Brunson was a preseason All-Big East honorable mention selection.
In 2016, Jalen Brunson and the Villanova Wildcats won the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 77-74. He was a starter on the team.
On February 21, 2016, Stevenson lost to Simeon in a game where Brunson scored 25 points.
On February 10, 2017, Carmelo Anthony went 5-5 on three-point shots (8-8 from the field) in a quarter and 6-6 in a half for the Knicks, showcasing his shooting ability.
On December 30, 2017, Jalen Brunson scored 31 points in a game against Butler, which resulted in Villanova's first loss of the season.
In 2017, Brunson was a unanimous selection to the All-Big East first team.
In 2017, Brunson was the National Player of the Year for the championship season of the 2017–18 Villanova Wildcats.
On June 21, 2018, Jalen Brunson was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 33rd overall pick, marking the beginning of his NBA career.
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.
In 2018, Brunson was a Consensus first-team All-American for the championship season of the 2017–18 Wildcats.
In 2018, Jalen Brunson received numerous awards and honors, including being named a consensus first-team All-American, USBWA Oscar Robertson Trophy winner, Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year, and John R. Wooden Award winner.
In 2018, Jalen Brunson was drafted as the 33rd overall selection by the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA draft.
On March 12, 2019, Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 34 points in a game against the San Antonio Spurs, showcasing his growing offensive capabilities.
On December 16, 2019, while starting for the Mavericks, Jalen Brunson helped end the Milwaukee Bucks' 18-game win streak, contributing 13 points and a career-high 11 assists.
On December 17, 2019, Jalen Brunson was named college basketball player of the decade by Sporting News, acknowledging his outstanding achievements and impact during that period.
On March 13, 2020, it was reported that Jalen Brunson underwent surgery to repair a labrum injury in his right shoulder, which sidelined him for a period.
During the 2021 NBA season, Jalen Brunson achieved career highs in points, rebounds, and assists, demonstrating his improved performance and contribution to the team.
On April 16, 2022, in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs, Jalen Brunson recorded 24 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in a loss to the Utah Jazz.
On June 2, 2022, Jalen Brunson's father was hired as an assistant coach by the New York Knicks, creating a family connection to the team.
On July 12, 2022, Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the New York Knicks, marking a significant move in his NBA career.
On September 21, 2022, Jalen Brunson announced his engagement to his longtime girlfriend, Ali Marks, at Stevenson High School's gymnasium after being inducted into the school's athletic Hall of Fame.
In 2022, after playing for the Dallas Mavericks, Brunson signed with the New York Knicks as a free agent.
On January 4, 2023, Jalen Brunson scored 38 points, along with seven rebounds and six assists, in a win over the San Antonio Spurs.
On June 4, 2023, Jalen Brunson committed to playing for Team USA in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
On July 29, 2023, Jalen Brunson married Ali Marks at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, with current and former teammates in attendance.
On November 20, 2023, Jalen Brunson earned his second NBA Player of the Week award, recognizing his outstanding performance with the Knicks.
On January 1, 2024, Jalen Brunson achieved a career-high of 14 assists in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which was also the debut of his new teammate OG Anunoby with the Knicks.
On June 28, 2024, Jalen Brunson made an appearance on WWE SmackDown at Madison Square Garden, alongside Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.
On August 6, 2024, Jalen Brunson was named the 36th captain in the history of the New York Knicks franchise.
In August 2024, Jalen Brunson and his wife, Ali Marks, announced the birth of their first child, born on July 31.
In 2024, Brunson became an NBA All-Star and received an All-NBA Team selection for the first time.
On January 25, 2025, Jalen Brunson was selected as an Eastern Conference starter for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game.