Jalen Brunson's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Jalen Brunson.

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.

Sections (4)

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.

2012: All-Lake County Honorable Mention

In 2012, as a freshman, Jalen Brunson was an All–Lake County honorable mention selection as Stevenson finished the season with a 17–11 record.

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.

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: Top Ranked Point Guard

Jalen Brunson was the only point guard that was ranked in the top 25 players at the conclusion of the class of 2015's junior season.

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: 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.

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.