Where is Jalen Brunson from? Hometown, college, more to know about Knicks star's roots

Despite being criticised as a player who wasn't enough to move the needle, Jalen Brunson has proved the haters wrong year after year with the New York Knicks. In 2026, he has brought them to their first NBA Finals since 1999.

It's perhaps destiny that Brunson was the player to do this, since his father, Rick, was on that 1999 team that made it to the Finals. His team also played against the San Antonio Spurs, but lost in five games.

Brunson did move around a lot during his childhood due to his father's NBA career, but he is originally from New Jersey. He also played basketball in Illinois until he began his famous career at Villanova.

Here's an overview of where the Knicks' star is originally from and how he has ties to the area.

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Where is Jalen Brunson from?

The Knicks' point guard is from New Brunswick, N.J., according to his NBA biography page. Brunson was born on Aug. 31, 1996, and stayed in New Jersey until the sixth grade, per Philly.com. He moved from Cherry Hill, N.J., to Lincolnshire, Ill in 2010.

Once he hit high school, Brunson played for Stevenson High School. During his time with the Patriots, he won a Class 4A state championship and was named Illinois Mr. Basketball. In his senior season in 2015, Brunson played against future NBA star Jayson Tatum. Here are the highlights from that game.

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Jalen Brunson New York sports fandom

While Brunson is originally from New Jersey, he grew up as a Knicks fan. His father, Rick, was a player during the team's appearance in the 1999 NBA Finals. The father and son duo became the first to each play in the Finals for the same team in NBA history. Here is Brunson talking about what the moment means to him.

One important note regarding Brunson's fandoms: he is a Philadelphia Eagles fan. He grew up in Southern New Jersey, an area that has more of an allegiance to the Philly area than New York.

I never want to hear anyone call Jalen Brunson the King of New York ever again 🤢 pic.twitter.com/HZ2mZ1Ks3C

Here is a young Brunson repping New York gear during his father's tenure as a Knicks player. It's safe to say this may have been destiny that Brunson has led the team back to the NBA Finals for the first time since his father was on the team.

All these Mavericks fans mad at Brunson are sad. The Mavs had every opportunity to pay him what he was worth and still wouldn’t match the Knicks’ number. Can’t fault him for taking the money and playing for his dad, godfather, family, and childhood team. Lets go @jalenbrunson1 pic.twitter.com/9A13q0yxFc

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Where did Jalen Brunson go to college?

Brunson attended Villanova University from 2015 to 2018. He is most notably a part of the "Nova Knicks" movement that also consisted of college teammates Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges during their run to the NBA Finals in 2026. Before Bridges arrived in 2025, Brunson's NBA team was also equipped with a former college buddy in Donte DiVincenzo.

During his time with the Wildcats, Brunson was able to win two championships with the team in 2016 and 2018. After his final season at Villanova, the guard won an array of awards after his stellar campaign, including the Wooden Award, Naismith Award, AP Player of the Year, and Sporting News' college basketball Athlete of the Decade.

In 2018, Brunson's Wildcats won every game of the NCAA Tournament by double figures. That season capped off one of the more brilliant tournament windows in recent history, and Brunson was largely to thank. Here is the guard's highlights from the NCAA Tournament.

Jalen Brunson college stats

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