Jalen Brunson has made a few comments that suggest a belief in God, but he has not clearly stated a particular religious affiliation. Some profiles list him as Christian, but there is no confirmed or detailed public declaration from him about his faith.
Quick Profile: Jalen Brunson
| Full Name | Jalen Marquis Brunson |
| Born | August 31, 1996, New Brunswick, NJ |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Position | Point guard |
| NBA Debut | 2018 (Dallas Mavericks) |
| Teams | Dallas Mavericks (2018–2022); New York Knicks (2022–present) |
| Religion | Unknown |
What religion is Jalen Brunson?
Brunson has never publicly labeled his own religion, and there is no definitive source that states his faith tradition. He grew up in a family that emphasized faith as part of their values, and he played college basketball at a Catholic university. These facts suggest he was likely raised Christian, but Brunson has chosen to keep his personal beliefs private. In interviews he occasionally references “faith” in general terms, but he has not made any clear public statement such as saying he is Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc. As of now, Brunson’s exact religious affiliation remains unconfirmed.
Early Life
Jalen Brunson was born on August 31, 1996, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and grew up in a basketball family. He is the son of Rick Brunson, a former NBA player and current coach and Sandra Brunson. The Brunson family moved several times during Jalen’s youth, but he spent his high school years in Lincolnshire, Illinois, at Stevenson High School. There, Brunson earned many honors, including Illinois Mr. Basketball, and led his team to a state championship. After high school he went on to star at Villanova University. Villanova is a Catholic university founded by the Order of St. Augustine, though Brunson’s own faith background from childhood is not detailed in public records.
Career Highlights
Brunson was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. He played four seasons in Dallas before signing as a free agent with the New York Knicks in 2022. In New York, Brunson’s career reached new heights. He became an NBA All-Star in 2024 and 2025, and earned All-NBA Second Team honors in both those years. Brunson was a key player in leading the Knicks deep into the playoffs, including the Eastern Conference Finals in 2025.
Prior to his NBA career, Brunson won two NCAA national championships at Villanova (2016 and 2018). As a college junior in 2018 he was voted National Player of the Year and won other awards like the Bob Cousy Award and Big East Player of the Year. Internationally, he won gold medals with USA Basketball at the 2014 U18 Americas Championship and 2015 U19 World Cup. Throughout his career Brunson has been celebrated for his leadership and clutch performances.
Personal Life
Off the court, Jalen Brunson keeps a relatively private personal life. He married his longtime girlfriend, Alison (Ali) Marks, on July 29, 2023, at The Ritz-Carlton in Chicago. Alison Brunson (née Marks) is a physical therapist by training. In July 2024 the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter born on July 31, 2024. Brunson’s family remains close; his father Rick Brunson serves as an assistant coach for the Knicks, and his mother Sandra has been noted in media for emphasizing faith, family and love in Jalen’s upbringing, although Jalen himself does not speak about his religion publicly.
Awards and Honors
Brunson’s basketball career includes many awards at both college and professional levels. In summary:
- 2× NBA All-Star (2024, 2025)
- 2× NCAA Champion (Villanova 2016, 2018)
- National College Player of the Year (2018)
- All-NBA Second Team (2024, 2025)
- Bob Cousy Award (nation’s top point guard, 2018)
- Big East Player of the Year (2018)
- He was also a McDonald’s All-American and Illinois Mr. Basketball in high school, and won gold medals with Team USA as a junior (2014 U18 and 2015 U19)
Career Earnings
Jalen Brunson has earned substantial contracts in his NBA career. In 2022 he signed a four-year, $104 million deal to join the Knicks as a free agent. In July 2024 he agreed to a four-year extension worth $156.5 million. These contracts alone total over $260 million. (Earlier in his career he also earned salaries as a Dallas Maverick, but his major NBA earnings have come in New York.) Overall, Brunson’s NBA salary earnings are well over a quarter billion dollars to date, reflecting his status as one of the league’s top paid players.
