Jalen Brunson’s home life is perfect.
The New York Knicks player, 29, has a close-knit circle around him, including his parents, Sandra Brunson and Rick Brunson.
The couple met at Temple University, where they both played collegiate sports.
Sandra and Rick then welcomed Jalen in 1996, a few years before the patriarch joined the Knicks as a point guard and played with the team from 1999 to 2001.
Jalen will be joined by his wife, Dr. Allison “Ali” Marks Brunson, whom he married in 2023, at his side during Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday.
A year later, in 2024, the high school sweethearts welcomed daughter Jordyn.
Keep scrolling to learn all about Jalen’s family.
rick branson
Jalen followed in the footsteps of his father, who also played in the NBA.
He first made his league debut with the Portland Trail Blazers during the 1997-1998 season.
Throughout his playing career, Rick played point guard for the Trail Blazers, Knicks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Seattle Sonics.
He finished his NBA career with the Houston Rockets in 2006.
While on the court, Rick played for the Knicks, playing in the 1999 NBA Finals, where the team lost to the San Antonio Spurs.
After retiring, the former professional player served as an assistant coach for teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Bulls, Charlotte Hornets (then known as the Bobcats), and Minnesota Timberwolves.
In 2022, Rick joined the Knicks coaching staff. Jalen also joined the team that same year.
Jaylen told “CBS Morning” in 2024 that throughout his childhood his father always asked him if he wanted to become a professional basketball player “to make a living.”
“The answer was always ‘yes,'” the Knicks star admitted. “No matter how I was feeling.”
sandra branson
Jaylen’s mother was a volleyball player for the Owls at Temple University. The athlete majored in business law and minored in real estate.
Sandra works in corporate law in New York City and currently serves as co-founder and CFO of Second Round Foundation.
The nonprofit’s mission is to “advance a vision centered on expanding access, opportunity, and equity for youth.”
Sandra is also president of JMB1 Enterprises, which was founded by the Branson family.
When Jalen spoke to WFAA in 2020, he spoke passionately about how his mother, whom he called his best friend, always held him accountable.
“When I was passionate about something, I couldn’t stop until it was finished,” he explained. “She basically gave me a mental never-give-up attitude.”
Jalen also thanked the patriarch for his “athletic ability.”
“Because without you I wouldn’t have been able to jump this high,” the basketball star said.
erica branson
Jalen’s sister has always been his biggest fan.
Born five years after the 2001 NBA star, Erica attended Villanova University, the same school as her brother.
During his college career, the NBA star won two NCAA championships.
According to Sports Business Classroom, Erica earned a degree in communications and a minor in education in 2023.
The New Jersey native currently works for Creative Artists Agency, which also represents her brother and his famous teammates.
“I wanted to see what goes on behind the scenes,” Erika explained to the outlet about becoming a talent manager, “I wanted to see what makes the sports world so special.”
The brothers share a close bond, and in 2019 Jalen celebrated Erica’s 18th birthday with a sweet shout-out on Instagram.
“My best friend turns 18 today and I couldn’t be more grateful to have a sister like her,” he wrote. “It’s been so beautiful watching you grow and I couldn’t be more proud of you! I love you and thank you for always being by my side, Eli 🥰”
Dr. Ali Marks Brunson
Jalen and his wife Ali first met at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois.
After graduation, the two worked while attending different universities, with Ali attending the University of Illinois.
In 2021, the mother of one earned her doctorate in physical therapy from Northwestern University.
Shortly after, Ali became a physical therapist in Dallas while Jalen was with the Dallas Mavericks.
In 2022, Jalen proposed to Ali in the high school gymnasium.
At the time, Ali posted a shot of the special moment and simply wrote, “You are forever.”
The couple tied the knot at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago on July 29, 2023, and welcomed their daughter a year later.
WAG is currently the founder and creator of the AMB Method, a low-impact fitness program.
Jordyn Brunson
Jalen and Ali welcomed their first child, daughter Jordyn, on July 31, 2024.
The couple kept the news private until Jalen posted a black-and-white photo of his newborn baby on Instagram in August.
Ali took his young child to many Knicks games during the season.
In December, the Knicks posted on Instagram a shot of Jalen holding his daughter on the court with the caption, “Every day is the day I take my daughter to work with the Brunsons 😍.”
Ali told People in February that it was “unrealistic” to bring the game to her daughter.
“Everyone at MSG loves their job and loves the Knicks,” she exclaimed. “It was truly a family experience.”
