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Jalen Brunson is in the midst of a breakout season in his first year as a member of the New York Knicks. The fifth-year guard is averaging 20.2 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, 6.6 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, and 0.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field, 36.6% from three-point range, and 87.0% from the free-throw line.
Brunson is not the first member of his family to play in the NBA. His father, Rick Brunson, spent nine seasons in the league. The elder Brunson had stints with eight different teams, totaling 337 career games played. He finished his career with averages of 3.2 points per game, 1.3 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, 0.6 steals per game, and 0.1 blocks per game in 13.5 minutes per game. Brunson, who was also a left-handed point guard, shot 37.8% from the field, 36.2% from three-point range, and 69.3% from the free-throw line.
Upon retiring, Brunson began his coaching career. He has worked as an assistant coach for five NBA franchises and one college. He also spent time as the director of basketball operations for the University of Virginia's basketball team. Brunson spent three seasons as the head coach of Camden High School's basketball team, where he coached five-star prospect D.J. Wagner, son of former NBA player Dajuan Wagner. Brunson is currently an assistant coach for the New York Knicks.
Watch Rick Brunson's highlights from his MVP performance at the 1991 McDonald's All-American Game below:
The New York Knicks recently punished for tampering to acquire Jalen Brunson
Plenty of eyebrows were raised when the New York Knicks hired Rick Brunson as an assistant coach ahead of his son, Jalen Brunson, hitting the free agent market. Those suspicions were validated when the younger Brunson signed with the Knicks at the onset of free agency. The NBA announced earlier this week that they would investigate the matter and recently announced their ruling.
While the NBA cleared the Knicks of any wrongdoing in terms of hiring Rick Brunson, they ruled that the organization engaged in discussions with Jalen Brunson prior to the negotiation window opening. As a result, the league stripped New York of their 2025 second-round draft pick.
With such light punishment, teams will likely be motivated to tamper if they deem a player worthy of a second-round draft pick. While there is value in late-round draft picks, as Brunson himself was a second-round draft pick, most NBA franchises would trade a second-round draft pick for a surefire talent.
Check out the NBA's statement on the New York Knicks signing of Jalen Brunson below:
Guess the Lakers players!
