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Villanova in the Pros

Villanova in the Pros: Jalen Brunson an All-Star Starter

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Villanova Basketball

Villanova Wildcats alumnus and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson qualified for the NBA All-Star Game for the second year in a row, joining the starting lineup for the first time in his career.

Brunson’s 26 points per game this season lead the Knicks and rank ninth in the NBA, as does his average of 7.3 assists. Three factors contributed to his making the Eastern Conference’s starting lineup: a fan vote, which accounted for 50 percent for the vote share, as well as 25 percent shares from a media panel and his fellow players. The exhibition will take place on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center. A format change enacted this year means a draft conducted by TNT Inside the NBA commentators Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith will determine the exact team Brunson suits up with.

Brunson played for the Wildcats from 2015 to 2018, winning a pair of national championships and winning the Wooden Award as the best player in the league during his senior year.

A second round draft pick of the Mavericks, Brunson spent the first four years of his career with Dallas before signing with the Knicks ahead of the 2022-23 season. Brunson blossomed into an All-Star during his second season with New York, first qualifying for the exhibition as a reserve during the 2023-24 season. The Knicks have turned into a hotbed of Villanova alumni in recent seasons: Brunson currently plays alongside Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, while 2018 Final Four Most Outstanding Player Donte DiVincenzo took part in New York’s playoff run last season before being traded to Minnesota.

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