Jalen Brunson on the ever-growing love story between the game of golf and basketball

Jalen Brunson on Golf’s Growing Bond with Basketball

Healfromzero.com – Jalen Brunson on the ever-growing connection between golf and basketball has become one of sports’ most compelling narratives. The NBA champion and Finals MVP with the New York Knicks has found himself at the center of this cultural shift, where players increasingly trade their sneakers for golf shoes during the off-season. For Brunson, the sport represents more than leisure—it embodies pure competition against his father, Rick Brunson, who now serves as a Knicks assistant coach.

The transition began when Rick Brunson stopped challenging his son to one-on-one basketball games. “My dad stopped playing me one-on-one on the court, so I needed to find something else to beat him in,” Brunson told CNN Sports. “You’re still being competitive.” This simple realization sparked what has become a regular part of the Brunson family’s off-season routine.

A Foundation Built on Being Overlooked

Brunson’s annual charity golf classic exemplifies how the sport has evolved into a showcase for athletes across social media platforms and traditional channels. The event raises funds for the Second Round Foundation, which Jalen Brunson co-founded with his mother, Sandra Brunson. The organization draws inspiration from Jalen’s journey as a second-round draft selection, aiming to support “the overlooked” and demonstrating that “success doesn’t always look like a first-round pick.”

“You can go down so many different roads with that term,” Brunson reflected. “I felt like I was overlooked in sport, but there are a lot of kids and people who overlooked this in life.” Sandra Brunson emphasized the foundation’s commitment to equity, noting that “everyone needs to start on the same playing field and we’re just happy to be able to help and to provide whatever resources we can.”

For the golf fundraiser, Brunson typically extends invitations to teammates like Josh Hart, though participants also register independently. Sandra joked about managing the guest list: “I send the invites, OK? So if anybody didn’t get one, it’s on me.” Jalen laughed and added, “I mean, I was gonna throw her under the bus anyway.”

The Basketball Elite on the Course

LeBron James, whom Brunson is scheduled to face on opening day of the upcoming NBA season, represents one of the basketball elite attempting to climb the golfing ladder. Others have made even more public commitments to the sport. Steph Curry captured the 2023 American Century Classic, a prestigious celebrity tournament featuring numerous professional athletes. Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers maintains a fully dedicated golf Instagram account, while Michael Jordan has long been associated with the sport.

The trend extends to women’s basketball as well. Caitlin Clark and Diana Taurasi have both been vocal about their enthusiasm for golf. Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey provided comic relief in a video posted by the NBA, jokingly admitting, “I can do all this basketball with 20,000 people but golfing in front of cameras? Can’t do it.” The PGA has published analysis highlighting specific basketball movements that “closely relate to the golf swing and golf performance.”

For Brunson, the connection is intuitive rather than analytical. “It can be,” he said regarding the technical parallels. “But I’m getting there.” “There’s a lot surrounding it that makes it like the perfect getaway for a lot of not just basketball players but pro athletes,” Brunson observed, noting that the golf phenomenon extends well beyond basketball. “It’s a perfect getaway where you’re still being competitive.”

One person in the Brunson family who has yet to fully embrace the sport is Sandra. “No one in my family has ever even attempted to invite me to a golf outing to participate,” she told CNN Sports. Jalen joked, “I haven’t seen her even touch a club.” Sandra added, “My daughter has clubs. My granddaughter has clubs, I don’t even have clubs.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does Jalen Brunson play golf? Brunson plays regularly during the off-season and hosts an annual charity golf classic that has become a staple of his routine.

What is the Second Round Foundation? Co-founded by Jalen Brunson and his mother Sandra, the foundation supports “the overlooked” in sports and life, drawing inspiration from Jalen’s second-round draft selection journey.

Who are some NBA players known for golf? LeBron James, Steph Curry, Austin Reaves, Michael Jordan, and JR Smith are among the basketball stars who have embraced golf seriously.

Does Brunson play against his father? Yes, after Rick Brunson stopped challenging Jalen to one-on-one basketball games, they began competing on the golf course instead.

How does Brunson compare basketball to golf? He notes that both sports require competitiveness and precision, with the PGA highlighting parallels between free throws and putting, as well as crossover movements and swing tempo changes.