Jalen Brunson
Born 1996 · Age 29
American professional basketball player, two-time NCAA champion with Villanova, NBA player (Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks), multi-time All-Star and All-NBA selection, known for scoring, playmaking and clutch performance.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey
Jalen Marquis Brunson born to Rick and Sandra Brunson in New Brunswick, NJ.
Family settles in Lincolnshire, Illinois
Brunson moved multiple times as a child; family settled in Lincolnshire in 2010 where he attended Stevenson High School.
All–Lake County honorable mention (freshman)
As a Stevenson High School freshman Brunson earned All–Lake County honorable mention while Stevenson finished 17–11.
Named AP Class 4A All-state second team (only sophomore)
After a 29–5 season as a sophomore, Brunson earned Associated Press Class 4A All-state second team honors.
Led Stevenson to IHSA Class 4A championship game (lost)
Sophomore Brunson led Stevenson to the IHSA Class 4A title game against Simeon Career Academy; Stevenson lost 58–40.
Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year (junior)
Brunson was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Illinois as a junior.
Scored 57 points in double-overtime game
Junior Brunson scored 57 points in a double overtime victory over Lake Forest HS, setting school single-game and career scoring records.
Set IHSA playoff single-game scoring record (56)
Brunson scored 56 points in IHSA playoff semi-final loss to Whitney Young (Jahlil Okafor), setting an IHSA playoff single-game record.
USA U18 teammate and assists record (13 in a game)
At the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship Brunson set a USA U18 single-game assist record with 13 assists vs Uruguay.
Gold medal and USA U18 assist record at FIBA Americas U18
Brunson won gold with Team USA at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship; his father Rick received a Temple offer that day (family context).
Participated at LeBron James Skills Academy
Brunson attended the LeBron James Skills Academy (July 9–11, 2014).
Committed to Villanova
Brunson announced his college commitment to Villanova on September 10, 2014; he was ranked the #1 point guard in the 2015 class by Scout.com at that time.
Graduated high school as top-25 recruit (ESPN No.16)
Ended high school ranked No.16 in ESPN 100 and the #2 point guard in the class behind Isaiah Briscoe.
Named to 2015 McDonald's All-American roster
Brunson was named to the 2015 McDonald's All-American Boys Game roster (announced Jan 28, 2015).
Illinois Mr. Basketball and repeat Gatorade POY (senior)
Brunson won Illinois Mr. Basketball (2015) and repeated as Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year; he finished his senior year averaging 23.3 points.
Became Lake County career scoring leader; led Stevenson to IHSA final four
On March 17, 2015 Brunson helped Stevenson advance to their third straight IHSA final four and became Lake County's career scoring leader.
Won IHSA Class 4A state championship (30 points)
Brunson recorded a title-game record 30 points (9-for-15 FG, 9-for-9 FT) to lead Stevenson to the IHSA Class 4A state championship (57–40) in 2015.
Won POWERADE Jam Fest skills competition
At the March 30 POWERADE Jam Fest associated with the McDonald's All-American game Brunson won the skills competition.
Nike Hoop Summit performance (12 points, 7 assists)
At the April 11, 2015 Nike Hoop Summit Brunson had 12 points and seven assists in Team USA's 103–101 loss.
Named to USA U19 World Cup roster (2015)
Brunson was named to the 12-man USA squad for the 2015 FIBA U19 World Cup.
MVP of 2015 FIBA U19 World Cup
Brunson was tournament MVP at the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Cup; he averaged 14.0 points and led the team in assists.
Villanova starting lineup debut (12 points)
Brunson opened his freshman season at Villanova in the starting lineup, scoring 12 points vs Fairleigh Dickinson (Nov 13, 2015).
Named to John R. Wooden Award midseason watch list
Brunson made the initial 50-man Wooden Award watch list on Nov 17, 2015.
Named USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year
Brunson was recognized as USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year on Dec 21, 2015 following his U19 MVP performance.
Sophomore season breakout (14.7 ppg, All-Big East First Team)
Brunson averaged 14.7 points and 4.1 assists as a sophomore and was a unanimous All-Big East First Team selection (2016–17).
Villanova reaches #1 in AP Poll
Villanova climbed to #1 in the AP Poll on Feb 8, 2016 during Brunson's freshman season.
Won NCAA Championship (Villanova)
Brunson was a starter on Villanova's 2016 NCAA championship team that beat North Carolina 77–74.
Announced return to Villanova for junior season
After his sophomore year Brunson decided to return to Villanova for his junior season rather than enter the 2017 NBA draft.
Battle 4 Atlantis champion and tournament MVP
Brunson led Villanova to the 2017 Battle 4 Atlantis title and was named the tournament MVP (Nov 2017).
Scored career-high 31 points vs Temple
Brunson scored a career-high 31 points (22 in the first half) on Dec 13, 2017 against Temple.
Consensus National Player of the Year and major individual awards (2018)
As a junior Brunson was named consensus first-team All-American and won the AP Player of the Year, Naismith Award, Wooden Award, Oscar Robertson Trophy, Bob Cousy Award, NABC Player of the Year and Sporting News Player of the Year among others.
Declared for 2018 NBA Draft and hired agent
Following his junior season Brunson declared for the 2018 NBA draft and signed with an agent.
Won second NCAA Championship (Villanova)
Brunson helped Villanova win the 2018 NCAA Championship; Villanova defeated Michigan 79–62 in the final.
Selected 33rd overall in 2018 NBA Draft (Dallas Mavericks)
Brunson was drafted in the second round with the 33rd overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks (June 21, 2018).
Completed communications degree at Villanova (three years)
Brunson graduated from Villanova with a communications degree after three years of study; on pace to graduate summer 2018 following junior season.
Signed rookie contract with Mavericks after Summer League
Brunson did not sign immediately; after completing Summer League he signed a four-year contract similar to a first round deal (3 years guaranteed).
NBA debut (Dallas Mavericks)
Brunson made his NBA debut on October 17, 2018, recording three points, an assist and a rebound vs the Phoenix Suns.
First professional double-double and Philadelphia Sports Writers honor
On Jan 5, 2019 Brunson posted 13 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists (first pro double-double) and was honored as the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Amateur Athlete of the Year.
Career-high 34 points for Mavericks
Brunson scored a then career-high 34 points on March 12, 2019 vs the San Antonio Spurs.
Named Sporting News College Player of the Decade
Sporting News named Brunson the college basketball player of the decade on Dec 17, 2019.
Underwent right shoulder labrum surgery
Reports confirmed Brunson had surgery to repair a labrum injury in his right shoulder (Mar 13, 2020), causing him to miss time.
Finished fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting
During the 2020–21 season Brunson averaged career highs off the bench and finished fourth in media voting for NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
Knicks punished for tampering in Brunson recruitment
The Knicks faced punishment for engaging in pre-free agency conversations with Brunson prior to the open free agency window (2022).
Playoff breakout — 24 points in Game 1 vs Utah
In Game 1 of the first round (April 16, 2022) Brunson had 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists as the Mavericks opened the playoffs.
Scored 41 points in Game 2 vs Utah
Brunson produced a breakout 41-point performance (8 rebounds, 5 assists) in Game 2 on April 18, 2022, helping the Mavericks even the series.
Key performance in Game 7 vs Phoenix (Western Conference Finals berth)
On May 15, 2022 Brunson scored 24 points in Game 7 to help Dallas upset the #1-seeded Phoenix Suns and reach the Western Conference Finals.
Father Rick Brunson hired as Knicks assistant coach
Rick Brunson was hired by the New York Knicks as an assistant coach on June 2, 2022, reuniting father and son organization-wise.
Signed with New York Knicks (four-year, $104M)
Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the New York Knicks on July 12, 2022 as a free agent.
Knicks debut (15 pts, 9 ast, 6 reb)
Brunson debuted for the Knicks on Oct 19, 2022, scoring 15 points with nine assists and six rebounds in an OT loss to Memphis.
Villanova jersey retirement (ceremony date)
Villanova retired Brunson's No. 1 jersey (ceremony noted on Feb 8, 2023) recognizing his collegiate contributions (two NCAA titles, Player of the Year honors).
Scored 38 points vs Spurs
On Jan 4, 2023 Brunson scored 38 points with seven rebounds and six assists in a Knicks win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Then career-high 44 points vs Milwaukee
Brunson posted a then career-high 44 points in a Jan 9, 2023 loss to the Bucks.
Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week
Brunson earned his first NBA Player of the Week award for Jan 9–15, 2023 after averaging 34.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
Villanova retired his jersey (#1)
Villanova retired Brunson's No. 1 jersey on Feb 8, 2023 in recognition of his collegiate career.
Career-high 48 points (regular season)
On Mar 31, 2023 Brunson scored a then career-high 48 points and added nine assists in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Strong 2023 playoff showing (averaged 27.8)
Brunson averaged 27.8 points in the 2023 playoffs as the Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals before losing to Miami.
Earned NBA Player of the Week (second career week)
On Nov 20, 2023 Brunson earned his second NBA Player of the Week award after averaging 28.5 points and 6.5 assists in a 3–1 week.
Scored 50 points with perfect 9-for-9 three-point shooting
On Dec 15, 2023 Brunson scored 50 points (17–23 FG) and went 9–9 from three—tying the NBA record for most threes in a game without a miss and setting an NBA record of 8-for-8 threes in a half.
Career-high 14 assists in a game
Brunson posted a career-high 14 assists on Jan 1, 2024 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Named 2024 NBA All-Star (reserve)
Brunson was named as a reserve for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game—the first All-Star selection of his career.
Career-high 61 points
Brunson scored a career-high 61 points in a 130–126 overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs on March 29, 2024.
Finished 5th in MVP voting and named All-NBA Second Team
At the end of the 2023–24 season Brunson finished 5th in MVP voting and earned his first All-NBA Second Team selection.
Fractured left hand in Game 7 (playoffs) and underwent surgery
In Game 7 of the 2024 playoff series Brunson fractured his left hand; he underwent surgery shortly after.
Signed four-year, $156.5M contract extension
On July 12, 2024 Brunson signed a four-year, $156.5 million extension with the Knicks through the 2028–29 season.
Named 36th captain in New York Knicks history
The Knicks named Brunson the 36th team captain in franchise history on Aug 6, 2024.
Scored 55 points (42 in second half or later)
On Dec 28, 2024 Brunson scored 55 points (42 in the second half and later) including nine in overtime in a 136–132 OT win over the Washington Wizards.
Finished 10th in MVP voting and All-NBA Second Team (second straight year)
Brunson finished 10th in the 2024–25 MVP voting and was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the 2024–25 season.
Named Eastern Conference starter for 2025 NBA All-Star Game
On Jan 25, 2025 Brunson was named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game.
Named NBA Clutch Player of the Year (2024–25)
On April 23, 2025 Brunson was named the NBA Clutch Player of the Year after leading the league in made field goals and ranking near the top in clutch scoring and assists.
Series-clinching 40 points and game-winning three vs Pistons
Brunson scored 40 points and hit the series-clinching game-winning three to seal a 116–113 Game 6 victory over the Detroit Pistons in the first round (May 1, 2025).
39 points, 12 assists vs Celtics in Game 4 (playoffs)
On May 12, 2025 Brunson recorded 39 points, 5 rebounds and 12 assists in a Game 4 victory against the Boston Celtics, helping the Knicks take a 3–1 series lead in the East Semifinals.
43 points in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals vs Pacers
Brunson scored 43 points in a 138–135 OT loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals (May 21, 2025), setting/adding several Knicks playoff scoring records.
Key 32-point Game 5 win vs Pacers; Knicks reach East Finals in 25 years
On May 29, 2025 Brunson recorded 32 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in a Game 5 victory; New York reached its first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years (2025).
Key Achievement Ages
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