Sports
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson “never changed” on his rise to stardom
New York has long been known for celebrating great sports icons akin to Babe Ruth, Joe Namath, Joe DiMaggio, Patrick Ewing, Pele, Lawrence Taylor, Derek Jeter, Darryl Strawberry, Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Reggie Jackson. name a couple of. There’s also the present king of the New York sports scene who has little interest in the intense lights of Broadway: Knicks guard Jalen Brunson.
“Nothing would be possible without my teammates, and they and my coaching staff wouldn’t believe in me,” Brunson said.
While these words are somewhat modest, Brunson made a powerful statement by leading the Knicks to the second seed within the Eastern Conference within the NBA Playoffs. On Saturday (ESPN, 6 p.m. ET), the Knicks will begin the playoffs at Madison Square Garden against the Philadelphia 76ers and stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Brunson, making his first NBA All-Star appearance, was fourth within the NBA in scoring (28.7 points per game) and thirteenth in assists (6.7) this season. The six-year veteran also scored a career-high 61 points on March 29 against San Antonio. But with fellow All-Star Julius Randle sidelined since Jan. 27 and other key injuries to OGs Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson, Brunson took over the Knicks not only as a scorer, but in addition as captain and the guts and soul of the team.
“He’s the ultimate leader,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeaux said. “When you take a look at him, his entire profession and individual achievements, it was off the charts. But the team’s achievements were amazing. He was an ideal teammate in highschool. He was an ideal teammate in college. They won at a really high level in college. He won big in Dallas and brought it here.
“And you’ll be able to’t replace Julius Randle, OG (Anunoby) or Mitch (Robinson) individually. We cannot do it, but we will do it together. And that is what I like about Jalen. He not only brings the most effective out of himself, but in addition the most effective of the team, and typically the most effective team wins. He at all times had this trait and was never satisfied. He at all times thinks he can do higher. Always wanting to learn more. “You can’t say enough about what he did.”
Said Knicks guard Josh Hart about Brunson: “We really just give him the keys and go as far as he goes.”
Mark Blinch/Getty Images
The Knicks put their faith in Brunson, signing him to a four-year, $104 million contract after 4 years with the Dallas Mavericks. For Brunson, the trip to New York was also a chance to reunite with his family.
His father, Rick, is an assistant coach on the Knicks staff, and Jalen Brunson has known Thibodeaux since he was 10 years old. In addition to the Knicks, Rick Brunson was an assistant coach under Thibodeaux with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Knicks even have two of Jalen Brunson’s former Villanova teammates in Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, who love to tease Brunson at every opportunity.
While Brunson’s contract could have looked like overpayment when he signed with the Knicks, his two stellar years make it seem to be he’s underpaid. Playing on the USA Basketball team for the 2023 FIBA World Cup raised his profile. It currently has a national TV ad with AT&T and partnerships with DoorDash, NBA2K, Samsung and Catalina Crunch. Brunson’s T-shirt was the fifteenth bestseller amongst NBA players this season. Renowned filmmaker and Knicks fan Spike Lee also wore a custom-made vest constituted of Brunson’s jersey to games.
Although it’s going to take a while for Brunson to adjust to his celebrity status, he enjoys the love he receives from New York’s royal family.
“When you see celebrities come and sit on the court and hang around with them, I say, ‘Man, I’m an enormous fan.’ And they said, “No, I’m a big fan.” It’s quite surreal at times,” Brunson said. “I’m happy about it. It’s a dream come true. That’s all I want.”
Even though Brunson has shone under New York’s brightest lights, he is not feeding on his rising star or changing who he’s.
“I’ve had the same circle since I came into the league. They make me humble. They keep me grounded. And that’s what I want…” Brunson said about his life since first becoming an NBA star.
“I do various things. But I’m resting. I prepare for matches, I do all of the needed things first. All your extracurricular activities can wait. I’m just ensuring I do my job.
Hart said: “I feel like he’s getting more respect nationally. It was good, but he never changed. He will be the person he has been all along.”
So who deserves credit for Brunson’s humility?
“(My parents) Sandra and Rick Brunson, (sister) Erica Brunson and my wife (Ali Marks Brunson). That’s how I used to be raised. I give them credit. It’s sort of second nature to me,” Brunson said.
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
In 4 games against Philadelphia this season, Brunson is averaging 22.3 points, 7.8 assists and three.0 rebounds. Maxey talked concerning the need to contain Brunson in hopes of stunning the Knicks within the upcoming “dogfight” between the longtime rivals.
“It starts with the head of the snake,” Maxey told NBATV. “We saw the season Jalen Brunson had. He was extraordinary. We have to slow it down first.”
Knicks fans will likely include Lee and other stars old and recent. Hart, nevertheless, said Brunson was a greater fit for the blue-collar Big Apple.
“He matches this toughness, this decisiveness, this mentality of not being satisfied and wanting to keep working. That’s a very powerful thing,” Hart said.
Brunson has won at every level of his profession. He led Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire, Illinois) to the 2015 state championship. He won two NCAA championships at Villanova in 2016 and 2018. The biggest challenge of his basketball profession is finally getting one other title banner at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks’ two titles in 1970 and 1973 were won long before the 27-year-old was born.
While Knicks fans have long dreamed of a championship, Brunson says his focus is on the primary game against the Sixers.
“It happens one day at a time,” Brunson said of his title hopes. “Of course I want to get there. Of course, that is goal No. 1.”
Earvin “Magic” basketball legend Johnson obliged in the amount of $ 500,000 at Louisiana Xavier University helped the school to lift over $ 2 million in his own Gala of the century May 9.
Johnson’s donation for the one centesimal anniversary of the university was transferred to the president of the retired President Dr. Norman C. Francis.
Money collected at the event will support student scholarships.
“A sign of a great man and who appears,” said Johnson at the gala. “Because the man you are, all the wonderful things you did in your star career. And all the people you have helped. You were successful thanks to your great leadership in Xavier … in honor of Dam Xavier $ 500,000.”
Bill Bellama (former MTV VJ) was the host of the ceremony. Jeffrey Osborne, The R&B Legend and former vocalist Ltd.
Francis, a graduate of the University of Xavier, was the president of the school for 47 years, almost half of his existence. He was answerable for sending many black students to a medical school. Under his leadership, students’ records were tripled.
“Our gala of the century was a beautiful success,” said Phillip D. Adams, vp of KSVIERA for institutional progress. “Not only did it honor Xavier five times, but we collected over $ 2 million to secure the future of distinguished students who select Xavier education. In just 100 years Xavier collected various recognition, strengthening as a pacesetter. I’m honored that we were in a position to consistently raise the crucial scholarship funds, and I am unable to wait for what years.
The only historically black and Catholic University of the country, Xavier, occupies the highest number of HBCU throughout the country and recognized as a national leader in the field of STEM and health sciences.
(Tagstranslate) Dr. Norman C. Francis (T) Magic Johnson (T) Xavier University
Michael Jordan joins NBC Sports as a special co-creator of the NBA relationship when the 2025-26 season begins.
NBC announced this on Monday morning during the presentation in advance at Radio City Music Hall, the network offers in the upcoming television season.
“I am very excited about seeing the NBA in NBC,” said Jordan during a video. “NBA on the NBC was a significant part of my career and I am excited that I am a special co -author of the project. I can’t wait to see you all when the NBA on NBC starts in October.”
NBC returns to wearing NBA after 23 years of absence. He had NBA rights in 1990–2002 and carried all six Jordan championships as a member of Chicago Bulls.
For the first time Jordan joined the network. His performances and comments during the documentary film “The Last Dance” about his occupation and the end of the Bulls dynasty in 1998 created many headlines.
“Michael’s heritage on the field and outside he speaks for herself,” said Rick Cartella, NBC sports president. “We are incredibly proud that he joined our relationship.”
The 11-year NBC agreement with NBA and WNBA begins in October. Peacock will only broadcast games on Monday evening, while NBC/Peacock could have regional double “on Tuesday. NBC and Peacock will also introduce” Sunday Night Basketball “in January.
(Tagstranslate) @AP
Although there have been many questions on why Shedeur Sanders (at the moment is assumed) fell to the fifth round last month NFL Draft, one one who understands that where you offers you the option to be going, just mustn’t be as mandatory as what you do is Tom Brady. Brady, probably the largest playmaker in the history of NFL, winning the 7 Super Bowl championships and diverse league MVP from New England Patrots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was 199. The draft selection in 2000 NFL Draft. It also happens that he’s a friend and mentor of Sanders.
Brady recently visited Logan Paweł’s “Impulsive” and, truly, about Sanders and why he had fallen in the project up to now. Brady said that this is a formidable query, but nobody knows why he fell up to now in the project, ensuring that he was not involved in any evaluation or process (Brady is the owner of the NFL Las Vegas Raiders, who chosen two other playmakers during the 2025 project). Brady made available that he wrote Sanders to give him advice and perspectives when he was waiting for the alternative.
“I actually wrote SMSEUR because I know him very well and I said:” Old, as whatever happens, wherever you go, it’s your first day. Day 2 has greater than a sketch. ” I had 199. Who can discuss it higher?
Brady, clearly, feeling optimistic about the way forward for Sanders, he drew attention to other great players who weren’t a high variety of the draft.
“Wherever you finish … It’s about your performance. What do you do when you get there? Because you will get there. I was near the best players who were unable to free agents. It was Rodney Harrison. Rodney Harrison was not a great choice. Julian Edelman was not a high choice. Wesker was not a high choice. Danny Amendola. All these guys were phenomena.”
Cleveland Browns chosen Sanders with 144. Choosing a draft and enters the playmaker with five other people fighting for the game time: Joe Flacco, Deshaun Watson, Kenny Picket and the second playmaker Browns chosen in Draft 2025, Dillon Gabriel. Given this crowded space, Brady’s message to Shedeur rings loudly.
“So what is the meaning than an excessive day when many people sell stories and says:” All right, it’s an incredible day and this is a project and it is a vital day and it is a funny and I like the proven incontrovertible indisputable incontrovertible proven proven proven undeniable incontrovertible proven undeniable proven proven undeniable proven undeniable incontrovertible indisputable proven incontrovertible indisputable proven undeniable undeniable undeniable undeniable proven undeniable incontrovertible proven undeniable indisputable indisputable undeniable indisputable incontrovertible indisputable incontrovertible incontrovertible proven undeniable indisputable undeniable proven proven proven proven incontrovertible proven undeniable undeniable proven undeniable incontrovertible undeniable undeniable incontrovertible undeniable undeniable indisputable incontrovertible undeniable indisputable indisputable incontrovertible proven undeniable undeniable indisputable indisputable incontrovertible incontrovertible undeniable indisputable incontrovertible proven proven incontrovertible undeniable undeniable incontrovertible proven proven proven incontrovertible proven proven indisputable proven incontrovertible indisputable incontrovertible undeniable proven incontrovertible undeniable incontrovertible undeniable undeniable indisputable proven incontrovertible proven proven proven incontrovertible indisputable proven proven undeniable incontrovertible proven incontrovertible indisputable undeniable indisputable incontrovertible undeniable proven undeniable incontrovertible proven undeniable undeniable undeniable indisputable proven proven undeniable incontrovertible incontrovertible proven proven proven indisputable incontrovertible undeniable indisputable undeniable undeniable undeniable incontrovertible incontrovertible indisputable indisputable proven undeniable undeniable proven undeniable indisputable incontrovertible indisputable indisputable proven undeniable undeniable incontrovertible indisputable undeniable proven indisputable incontrovertible undeniable proven indisputable proven indisputable undeniable proven proven indisputable indisputable incontrovertible incontrovertible incontrovertible undeniable incontrovertible indisputable indisputable proven incontrovertible proven indisputable incontrovertible proven proven undeniable indisputable incontrovertible undeniable undeniable proven undeniable proven proven incontrovertible incontrovertible proven incontrovertible undeniable proven incontrovertible undeniable proven indisputable indisputable undeniable indisputable indisputable indisputable indisputable indisputable incontrovertible indisputable undeniable undeniable undeniable indisputable indisputable undeniable proven proven proven indisputable incontrovertible undeniable proven incontrovertible indisputable indisputable indisputable proven undeniable undeniable proven proven indisputable indisputable incontrovertible proven undeniable incontrovertible proven incontrovertible incontrovertible incontrovertible incontrovertible undeniable undeniable undeniable proven undeniable proven proven incontrovertible proven undeniable proven proven incontrovertible indisputable indisputable indisputable proven indisputable undeniable indisputable undeniable incontrovertible indisputable incontrovertible proven indisputable proven indisputable undeniable incontrovertible incontrovertible proven incontrovertible indisputable proven indisputable proven proven proven indisputable indisputable undeniable proven incontrovertible incontrovertible indisputable undeniable proven indisputable indisputable proven incontrovertible incontrovertible proven incontrovertible undeniable proven undeniable incontrovertible proven undeniable proven incontrovertible undeniable proven indisputable indisputable undeniable incontrovertible indisputable incontrovertible proven proven incontrovertible undeniable undeniable incontrovertible proven indisputable indisputable incontrovertible proven proven undeniable fact that they watch and see it, but I used to be also there on the day of the second day. “
I hope Sanders took Brady’s word to heart – he clearly values the opinion of his mentor. Perhaps due to this relationship Sanders apparently wears Jersey number 12, He wore the same number of brady during his occupation. During highschool and college, Sanders wore Jersey number 2, who was He has recently retired through the University of Colorado, Where Sanders played his last two years of university football.
(Tagstranslate) Tom Brady (T) NFL Draft (T) Shedeur Sanders
There is a wild season in Australia. Here’s how to keep safety and avoid poisoning
From burning to a breakthrough: how this entrepreneur supports well -being through a deliberate life and available self -care – essence
Celebrating Stevie Wonder’s 75th birthday with his greatest hits
Maryland Governor Wes Moore signs 170 bills to the right
The latest assist Magic Johnson: $ 500,000 at the University of Xavier
-
Press Release1 year agoU.S.-Africa Chamber of Commerce Appoints Robert Alexander of 360WiseMedia as Board Director
-
Press Release1 year agoCEO of 360WiSE Launches Mentorship Program in Overtown Miami FL
-
Business and Finance11 months agoThe Importance of Owning Your Distribution Media Platform
-
Business and Finance1 year ago360Wise Media and McDonald’s NY Tri-State Owner Operators Celebrate Success of “Faces of Black History” Campaign with Over 2 Million Event Visits
-
Ben Crump1 year agoAnother lawsuit accuses Google of bias against Black minority employees
-
Theater1 year agoTelling the story of the Apollo Theater
-
Ben Crump1 year agoHenrietta Lacks’ family members reach an agreement after her cells undergo advanced medical tests
-
Ben Crump1 year agoThe families of George Floyd and Daunte Wright hold an emotional press conference in Minneapolis
-
Theater1 year agoApplications open for the 2020-2021 Soul Producing National Black Theater residency – Black Theater Matters
-
Theater11 months agoCultural icon Apollo Theater sets new goals on the occasion of its 85th anniversary