Jalen Brunson, who graduated from Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, was named the NBA Finals MVP after helping guide the New York Knicks to the NBA Championship Saturday evening.
The New York Knicks won 94-90 against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Championship on Saturday evening.
The win led the Knicks to their first NBA Championship in 53 years.
After the game, Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson was named the NBA Finals MVP. He was also recently named Eastern Conference Finals MVP.
Brunson, who was drafted 33rd overall out of Villanova University in 2018, was named NBA Champion in his eighth year.
Brunson scored 45 points in Game 5, setting an NBA Finals record. He joined Michael Jordan as the only two guards to score at least 45 points in an NBA Finals closeout game.
“Words can’t describe it but I’ll say, I put a lot of time and effort into trying to be the best player I can be to try to help the team win. Just really thankful to have the organization, the coaching staff, my teammates… and my family, to have my back every single day. I think that means the most to me,” Brunson said after the game in an interview.
Brunson grew up in New Jersey where he lived until middle school before his family moved to Lincolnshire in 2010.
Brunson played basketball at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire. He guided Stevenson to their first-ever state championship over Normal Community with an IHSA Class 4A title-game record of 30 points.
His father is Rick Brunson, who played nine seasons in the NBA before working as an assistant coach for several teams, most recently the Knicks where he works with his son.
After the Knicks’ win Saturday, several Illinois leaders lauded Brunson.
“From Stevenson High School to NBA Finals MVP. Illinois is proud of you, Jalen,” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said.
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider congratulated the New York Knicks and Brunson. “A real hero making us all proud—not just for how he plays but who he is!” Schneider said.
Stevenson High School Alumni Association said Brunson, who graduated in 2015, continues to make a meaningful impact at Stevenson High School through the Jalen Brunson Patriot Wellness Initiative.
“An extension of the Foundation’s One Family program, the JBPWI helps ensure Stevenson students and families have equitable access to the tools, resources, and knowledge needed to support lifelong wellness,” the alumni association said.