In the Jalen Brunson story, there is a moment that is not discussed nearly enough. The buzzer-beaters are not the problem. It’s not the MVP trophy he raised after the Knicks finally ended their championship drought or the 50-point performance against Phoenix. It’s a more subdued scene: a young NBA player who has already been drafted and is receiving a professional salary is sitting in a Villanova summer science class because he won’t leave without completing the task at hand.
Jalen Brunson attended Villanova University, which is located outside of Philadelphia. Even though it is simple to express that fact in a single sentence, it takes more time to fully comprehend its significance.
One of the nation’s most sought-after high school recruits, Brunson came to Villanova in 2015 with a gold medal from the 2015 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, where he was named tournament MVP, and a state championship from Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Illinois. There were many options available to him. However, he was drawn to Villanova’s reputation for producing top-notch point guards. It might have been the fit. Perhaps the culture was to blame. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what makes a teen choose one school over another, but in Brunson’s case, it appears to be instinct.
He won a national championship at the end of his freshman year (2015–16). In one of the most dramatic finishes in recent NCAA tournament history, Villanova defeated North Carolina 77–74. Brunson was involved in that. Part of it, yes, but a junior contributor. He was the cause two years later, during his junior year. He led the Wildcats to their second national championship in three years, defeating Michigan 79–62, while averaging 18.9 points and 4.6 assists per game. He also won the Bob Cousy, Naismith, and John Wooden awards. One player, one season, three of the most prestigious awards in college basketball. Such incidents are rare.
What transpired next reveals even more about his character. Brunson didn’t just end his time at Villanova after declaring for the 2018 NBA Draft. Rather, he quietly, almost obstinately, decided that he would complete his degree. He skipped Nike and Adidas camps, which most draft prospects view as crucial career-building opportunities, took too many classes during summer sessions, and continued to attend classes on campus. He later claimed that he took his time because he knew the NBA was here to stay.
He admitted that science almost broke him. He once said, “Science is not for me,” with a directness that seems very much like him. He could handle everything else, including writing and math. However, the hard sciences put him to the test in ways that a full-court press most likely wouldn’t. Nevertheless, he persevered.
After just three years of study, he earned a communications degree from Villanova. To cross the stage with his original class, however, he had to wait an additional year. Both of his parents, who attended Temple University, were present to observe. The notion that the ceremony still matters and that the diploma in hand has significance beyond what the transcript states is almost antiquated.
Given Brunson’s demeanor in New York, it’s plausible that Villanova taught him more than just basketball. It seems as though the discipline, patience, and refusal to take short cuts—even when there were shortcuts—were developed during those three years in Philadelphia. His time in college served as more than just a springboard. In certain respects, it was a finishing school. And the Knicks ultimately benefited from decades of frustration.
