Who Is Jalen Brunson? 5 Things to Know About the New York Knicks Captain After the Team's Major NBA Win

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson was destined for the sport.

The captain and point guard was born in New Brunswick, N.J., on August 31, 1996, to parents Rick and Sandra Brunson.

His mother played volleyball for the Owls at Temple University, while his father had a trailblazing career in the NBA. Rick made his league debut with the Portland Trail Blazers during the 1997-98 season before playing point guard for more teams, including the Knicks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, LA Clippers and the Seattle Sonics. He ended his NBA playing career with the Houston Rockets in 2006.

The father-son duo both joined the Knicks in 2022, with Rick joining the coaching staff and Jalen signing a four-year $156 million contract.

Jalen also has a younger sister, Erica, who is five years his junior.

While attending Stevenson High School, Jalen played his high school career and became a two-time Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year. Additionally, the Illinois Mr. Basketball winner led Stevenson to the Illinois High School Association state championship and earned the MVP of the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, according to NBA.com.

Jalen then had a three-year career at Villanova University, ultimately becoming one of the most decorated players in college basketball history after helping lead the Wildcats to NCAA titles in 2016 and 2018.

"Just follow his career, his high school career and what he accomplished there, and then to go out in college and do what he did there, and of course for the start of his career here (in Dallas)," Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said of Jalen. "That's the story of his life – everywhere he's been – and he always gets better… He's a team-first guy. He's always about all the right things."

Following the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft, Jalen played his first four NBA seasons for the Dallas Mavericks. He departed in free agency before signing a four-year, $104 million contract with the Knicks in July 2022.

In 2024, he became the 36th captain in franchise history and the team's first captain in six years since Lance Thomas in the 2018-19 season.

"The New York Knicks have a deep and storied history and today we are immensely proud to add to that lineage by naming Jalen Brunson as our captain," said Knicks president Leon Rose. "Jalen is a natural born leader, and I am confident he will continue to represent our organization, fans, city and his teammates with the same heart, grit and class that he has displayed each and every day since he came to New York."

Jalen has been married to his high school sweetheart, Dr. Ali Marks Brunson, since July 2023. They tied the knot at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago after their 2022 engagement.

"She's always been by my side," he told People at the reception. "And I'm lucky to have her."

The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Jordyn, on July 31, 2024.

On June 13, Jalen propelled the Knicks to the 2026 NBA crown — the team's first NBA title in 53 years.

The Knickerbockers toppled the San Antonio Spurs to secure the championship, prevailing in a nail-biting 94-90 victory.

"I was good. [After] the final buzzer, I walked right to half court, shook Mitch Johnson's hand and then turned around. My dad was there," Jalen said at a post-game press conference. "And then [I] felt emotional from that point on."

After the game, Jalen was named NBA Finals MVP, with his 45-point masterclass earning him the Bill Russell Trophy.

"He's a Top 3 MVP candidate," Knicks head coach Mike Brown praised the star point guard. "You know, everybody kind of mentions his name in passing. They don't do it seriously enough. You know, people say he's too small. People say he's a 1B or a 2B or whatever. He is a freaking 1A. He is an MVP candidate."

Meanwhile, Jalen told ESPN after the triumph, "It's everything we ever dreamed of. It's why I came to New York."