Jalen Brunson Named New York Knicks' Captain for 2024-25 Season
In an announcement that underscores the team's confidence in their star point guard, Jalen Brunson has been named the captain of the New York Knicks for the 2024-25 season. Brunson, who recently signed a team-friendly contract extension, becomes the 36th captain in the storied history of the franchise.
Knicks president Leon Rose praised Brunson's leadership qualities in a statement. "The New York Knicks have a deep and storied history and today we are immensely proud to add to that lineage by naming Jalen Brunson as our captain," Rose said. "Jalen is a natural-born leader, and I am confident he will continue to represent our organization, fans, city, and his teammates with the same heart, grit, and class that he has displayed each and every day since he came to New York."
This significant decision comes on the heels of Brunson's stellar performance in the previous season. At 27 years old, the point guard earned his first All-Star nod and secured a spot on the All-NBA Second Team. He posted career-high averages of 28.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game, proving indispensable to the Knicks' playoff campaign. In the postseason, Brunson elevated his game even further, averaging 32.4 points and 7.5 assists per contest, helping the Knicks reach the second round of the playoffs.
In May, Brunson underwent surgery to repair a broken hand, but his contributions to the team’s postseason run were already in the books. This offseason saw significant moves for the Knicks, including the re-signing of OG Anunoby and the orchestrated trade for Mikal Bridges. Despite injury setbacks to key players like Julius Randle, who missed the postseason, and Josh Hart, who is currently recovering, the Knicks are setting up for a promising season ahead.
The financial aspect of Brunson's contract extension is another testament to his commitment to the team. He signed a four-year, $156.5 million deal but left over $100 million on the table to provide the Knicks with much-needed financial flexibility. This selfless act has not gone unnoticed by fans and analysts alike, as it reflects his team-first mentality and long-term vision for the franchise.
As the 2024-25 season approaches, the Knicks will be looking to build on their recent success. Last season, they demonstrated significant progress, evident in their playoff performance and the leadership versatility displayed by Brunson. The Boston Celtics may be the reigning champions in the Eastern Conference, but with Brunson at the helm as captain, the Knicks are poised to be strong contenders.
The journey ahead will undoubtedly be challenging, with high expectations placed on the shoulders of their newly appointed captain. However, given his track record of excellence, resilience, and leadership, Jalen Brunson appears more than ready to lead the Knicks in their quest for glory.