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Jalen Brunson

Jalen Brunson is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jalen Brunson is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A point guard, he played college basketball for Villanova, where he won two NCAA championships, and was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Early life and high school

Brunson was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and attended Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. He earned recognition as a top high school player before joining Villanova.

College career

At Villanova, Brunson became one of the program’s leading players and helped the Wildcats win national championships in 2016 and 2018. He left college after his junior season and entered the NBA draft.

NBA career

The Dallas Mavericks selected Brunson with the 33rd overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. He later joined the New York Knicks, where he became the team’s starting point guard and a central scorer.

International play

Brunson has also represented the United States in international basketball competition. FIBA lists him as part of the USA player pool and records his appearances in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Key facts

  • Brunson plays for the New York Knicks in the NBA.
  • He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and grew up in Illinois.
  • He played college basketball at Villanova and won NCAA titles in 2016 and 2018.
  • The Dallas Mavericks drafted him 33rd overall in 2018.
  • He has been listed as a point guard and shooting guard.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Jalen Brunson?
He is an American professional basketball player who plays point guard for the New York Knicks in the NBA.
Where was Jalen Brunson born?
He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the United States.
What college did Jalen Brunson attend?
He attended Villanova University, where he played college basketball.
When was Jalen Brunson drafted?
He was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft, 33rd overall.
What position does Jalen Brunson play?
He is primarily listed as a point guard, though some sources also list him as a shooting guard.
Did Jalen Brunson win college championships?
Yes. He won NCAA national championships with Villanova in 2016 and 2018.

References

  1. Basketball-Reference — https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brunsja01.html
    Supports: Birthplace, birth date, height, weight, positions, draft details, college, and career statistics.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jalen-Brunson
    Supports: Full name, birthplace, date of birth, NBA team, and Villanova championships.
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3934672/jalen-brunson
    Supports: Team, jersey number, position, height, weight, birthdate, college, and draft information.
  4. FIBA — https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/210255-jalen-brunson
    Supports: International representation and competition record.
  5. Jalen Brunson official website — https://jalenbrunson.com/stevenson/
    Supports: High school attendance and prep career achievements.