New York Knicks superstar point guard Jalen Brunson is a Villanova icon. Was there a possibility that Brunson would have switched schools after his freshman year with the Wildcats?
Rick Brunson, Jalen’s father and a former NBA player as well as current Knicks assistant coach, joined his son for an appearance on the “Come and Talk 2 Me” podcast alongside former NBA player, head coach, and broadcaster Mark Jackson. During the discussion, the elder Brunson expressed his disappointment about Brunson’s freshman year at Villanova.
“One thing Jay Wright was excellent at, he would converse with you and talk you off the ledge because I believed I saw more, and Jay was superb, he managed it wonderfully,” Rick Brunson stated. “But I was like man this isn’t going to work, and to Jalen’s credit man, Jalen was like you have to chill man, I got this.”
“You know for him to express that to me you know it really eased my mind but I’m still like I desired more you know his freshman year,” Rick Brunson went on. “But I attribute the recognition to him and Jay for communicating with me because Jay could have said man, I’m weary of your father and I’m weary of you, you need to transfer.”
This is astonishing information, as Brunson ultimately became an all-time great at Villanova throughout his three-year collegiate journey. He was a three-year starter, earned the 2017-18 National Player of the Year accolade, and most importantly, secured two national championships.
However, it’s not surprising for players, especially young athletes, to feel as though they are not being fully utilized. Throughout his freshman year, Brunson played only 24.0 minutes per game and averaged a mere 9.6 points per game, with Ryan Arcidiacono managing most of the point guard responsibilities. Even if Brunson’s father initially wished for him to join a different team, it appears that staying was indeed the right choice for everyone involved.
Jalen Brunson and the “Nova Knicks”
Brunson’s legacy at Villanova has transcended his college days. Last season, Brunson collaborated with his former Villanova teammates Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, helping propel the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. This offseason, the Knicks acquired another one of their collegiate teammates, Mikal Bridges, to revive the core of both of Villanova’s national championships in the NBA.
With this current squad, the Knicks are anticipated to be one of the premier teams in the NBA. If Brunson had departed Villanova after his freshman year, there is a considerable chance that Bridges would not be part of the Knicks today and that this current roster would appear vastly different.
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