Wat-Not Staff
On September 1, 2024, Ali Brunson paid a touching tribute to her husband, New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson, on his 28th birthday. Sharing a heartfelt message and photos on Instagram, Ali highlighted their recent joys, including the birth of their daughter and Jalen’s new Knicks contract.
Jalen Brunson’s Busy Summer
Jalen Brunson, born on August 31, 1996, is a professional basketball player for the New York Knicks in the NBA.
Drafted 33rd overall by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018, he spent his first four NBA seasons with them.
In college, he played for Villanova University, where he was named National Player of the Year and won two national championships.
Jalen Brunson, who missed out on representing the U.S. in the 2024 Paris Olympics, had a bustling summer filled with personal and professional milestones.
Jalen Brunson and Ali Marks, high school sweethearts, got engaged in September 2022 after dating for nine years. They married in a grand ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago on July 29, 2023. They welcomed their first baby in July 2024.
He and Ali welcomed their daughter, Jordyn James Brunson, into the world just before signing a significant four-year, $156.5 million contract with the Knicks.
Despite the financial sacrifice to help his team build a championship-contending roster, Brunson’s dedication has been widely praised.
Shortly after the contract was signed, the couple’s daughter arrived, bringing additional joy to their lives.
Knicks Captaincy and Fan Reactions
Following Jordyn’s birth, Jalen Brunson’s summer took another positive turn when he was named the New York Knicks’ team captain.
This role had been vacant since the 2018-19 season, making Brunson only the 36th player in franchise history to hold the title..
His impressive performances in the 2024 playoffs, despite an injury-riddled roster, have earned him admiration from fans and media alike.
Ali’s Instagram post celebrating his birthday was met with enthusiastic responses from Knicks fans, who praised Brunson for his leadership and achievements both on and off the court.
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