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Jalen Brunson has built quite a career in eight years in the NBA. His success, however, has extended well beyond the basketball court, as it has also opened business opportunities for him off it.
Selected in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft out of Villanova, Brunson has pretty much surpassed every expectation placed before him initially on his way to becoming one of the premier players in the game now.
From his early days as an off-the-bench guy with the Dallas Mavericks, he has elevated his standing as a multiple-time All-Star and recently, an NBA champion as a member of the New York Knicks.
Along the way, he has attracted business opportunities to grow his portfolio and brand, including endorsement deals with top brands like Nike and AT&T, as well as gaining a foothold in media through his popular podcast, "The Roommates Show," which he does with Knicks teammate Josh Hart.
Handling his affairs
To better handle his dealings both on and off the court, Brunson has made sure that he does it in close coordination with people he truly trusts and whose opinions he values, believing that they only have his best interest in mind. Among them are his parents, Rick and Sandra Brunson.
The 2026 NBA Finals MVP touched on it in a recent panel discussion hosted by the Wall Street Journal, highlighting that it was important for him, before making any decisions, to discuss it with his core circle.
"For me, I've kept my team very close-knit. Basically everything runs to my family, friends of family. It's important for me to kind of keep that core circle because I know who has the best interest [for me] and … it has kept me focused on my main thing," the 29-year-old Brunson said.
"I was blessed and lucky to have a mom and dad, who kind of have been through this already. So that was my study guide and to be able to do that with them, doing this with them now makes it way more special," he added.
The two-time NCAA champion then went on to share that the rough journey that his father had in his own NBA run has made him appreciate more what he has now.
Rick, who is an assistant coach with the Knicks, played nine years in the NBA for eight different teams from the late 1990s and early 2000s and had unguaranteed contracts with most of them.
Running it back in 2027
As he continues with his basketball journey, Brunson seeks to continue winning across all levels, including repeating as an NBA champion, which he expressed confidence in having a strong chance of doing.
He made it known at the Fanatics Fest in New York City, sharing that while they expect to be tested as defending champions, they have what it takes to take the challenge head-on.
"I have the utmost confidence in us night in and night out just because of the way we've been able to work through these couple of years. If we have that same, if not better, work ethic and mindset, obviously, I like our chances. But we gotta quickly turn the page and forget about Mr. Larry [O'Brien Trophy] over there at some point," he shared.
With his head firmly on his shoulders when it comes to handling his affairs, it is little wonder that Brunson has become the success that he is now and is set to build on it for the years to come.
