Jalen Brunson Named 36th Captain In Franchise History
NEW YORK, August 6, 2024 – The New York Knicks announced today that the team has named Jalen Brunson the 36th captain in franchise history.
“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.”
Brunson, 27-years-old (6-2, 190-pounds), becomes the 18th guard in team history to be named captain and just the fourth second-round pick to receive the honor. Brunson is the Knicks’ first captain since Lance Thomas (2018-19).
A 2024 NBA All-Star selection, Brunson averaged 28.7 points (47.9% FG; 40.1% 3PT), 6.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds over 35.4 minutes in 77 games (all starts) this past season. Brunson also finished fifth in MVP voting and was named to the 2023-24 All-NBA Second Team. He holds the second-highest career scoring average (26.5) in Knicks history, only trailing Bob McAdoo (26.7). Brunson recorded a career-high 61 points (53.2% FG, 38.5% 3PT), six assists, four rebounds and one steal against the Spurs (Mar 29) which is the second highest point total in Knicks history trailing only Carmelo Anthony (62). In his two seasons with New York, the Knicks have a record on 97-67 (.591), the most win in consecutive seasons for the Knicks since the 1999-00 and 2000-01 seasons (98 wins).
In the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Brunson led the Knicks to the second round for the second consecutive year posting 32.4 points, 7.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds over 39.8 minutes in 13 games. Brunson became the first player in NBA history to record 40+ points and at least five assists in four consecutive playoff games. He also scored 47 points against the 76ers (Apr 28), which surpassed Bernard King for the most points scored in a playoff game in Knicks history. In the series finale against the 76ers, Brunson became the third player in NBA Playoff history to record at least 40 points and 10 assists in a series-clinching win. His 210 points over a five-game span in the playoffs were the most since Michael Jordan in 1993.
The Lincolnshire, IL-native holds career averages of 16.9 points (48.9% FG; 39.1% 3PT), 4.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds over 28.3 minutes in 422 games (272 starts) for the Mavericks and Knicks. Brunson finished the season ranked fourth in the NBA in points per game (28.7), fourth in 30-point games (36), second in 40-point games (11) and fourth in total points scored (2,212). Prior to his time in New York, he helped lead the Mavericks to the 2022 Western Conference Finals, and averaged 21.6 points on 46.4-percent shooting, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists over 34.9 minutes in 18 playoff games (all starts).
Brunson was named the Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year in 2018 and won two national championships with the Villanova Wildcats (2016, 2018). Brunson was selected 33rd overall by the Mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft, which inspired him to cofound the Second Round Foundation. Combining a passion for empowering youth regardless of background or circumstance along with his profound work ethic, the Second Round Foundation seeks to create equity for young people through education, sport, and community. Jalen maintains a hands-on philanthropic presence in the Tri-State area through SRF as well as his involvement with MSG Family of Companies’ Garden of Dreams Foundation, which is dedicated to bringing life-changing opportunities to young people in need.
About Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.
Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports) is a leading professional sports company, with a collection of assets that includes the New York Knicks (NBA) and the New York Rangers (NHL), as well as two development league teams – the Westchester Knicks (NBAGL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). MSG Sports also operates a professional sports team performance center – the MSG Training Center in Greenburgh, NY. More information is available at www.msgsports.com.
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