Jalen Brunson will have quite a lot to look back on when the summer of 2024 concludes.
Brunson took the New York Knicks to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He was one bad draw in the injury department away from potentially getting New York to their first Conference Finals since 2000. The Villanova product finished No. 5 in the NBA in scoring with 28.7 points per game. He made his first All-Star team for it. He made his first All-NBA team for it. He was an MVP candidate for it. And now, he’s the Knicks’ next captain for it.
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Jets QB Aaron Rodgers congratulates Jalen Brunson on his captaincy
Jan 7, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off of the field before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
The New Jersey native heard it, in a good way, from Knicks stars, past and present after earning the prestigious honor. But the bus did not stop there. New York Jets four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers took time out to praise Brunson for his standout season, and for putting on for New York, saying this in his social media tribute (h/t Sports Illustrated):
“Hey Jalen congratulations on being named captain of the New York Knicks. What an incredible honor that is. I love watching you play. You exemplify what it means to be competitively great and you lay it on the line every night for your teammates, so I’m not surprised. Advice I have for you? Just be yourself, I love watching you play and can’t wait to see you with that C on your chest.”