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Jalen Brunson at the ESPYS on July 15, 2026 in New York City
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Jalen Brunson was awarded Best Athlete in Men’s Sports at the ESPYS on July 15
- He was nominated alongside Lionel Messi, Shohei Ohtani and Matthew Stafford
- Brunson and the New York Knicks earned a historic win by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in this year’s NBA Finals
Jalen Brunson is burning up on the ESPYS stage!
The NBA MVP point-guard, who is one month removed from winning a title with the New York Knicks after the team’s 53-year drought, won Best Athlete in Men’s Sports on Wednesday, July 15, defeating the steep competition of Argentina’s national soccer team captain Lionel Messi, MLB star Shohei Ohtani and reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
Brunson, 29, thanked his family, friends and fans inside the David H. Koch Theater at New York City’s Lincoln Center.
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“First and foremost, to be awarded this award in a group like that means the world, so I want to say thank you to the fans,” he began. “I really do appreciate y’all. My family, my teammates, just everyone that’s always believed in me.”
Taking a brief pause, the basketball legend, then told the crowd, “I lost the words. It’s been a hell of a run, to say the least,” before exiting the stage with his award to much applause.
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Jalen Brunson and Ali Marks Brunson attend the 2026 ESPY Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 15, 2026 in New York City.
Credit: Theo Wargo/WireImage
The New Jersey native has been playing basketball since he was a young teen with the help of his father, Rick Brunson, a former NBA player and current assistant coach with the Knicks.
In his college years, Brunson played for Villanova University and was chosen by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft as the 33rd overall pick.
Brunson joined the Knicks back in 2022 and earned three All-Star titles with the team.
He won his first championship this year after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in five games, and has earned multiple NBA accolades and won his first championship this year against the San Antonio Spurs.
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Brunson is married to his high school sweetheart, Ali Brunson, who is a physical therapist. They welcomed daughter Jordyn Brunson in 2024.
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