For New York Knicks’ guard Jalen Brunson, enjoying the offseason doesn’t mean the grind stops. In fact, for someone this strongly motivated by improvement on and off the court, the summer months can be just as busy as the regular season schedule.
The five-year NBA veteran recently spent a few days in the Chicago area with the goal of elevating a community, inspiring kids, and raising funds for America’s youth.
Brunson’s first stop of the week was Stevenson High School, his old stomping grounds in Lincolnshire, Illinois, to host the annual Jalen Brunson Skills Academy. During the three-day event, which launched in 2019, kids from the sixth to eighth grade were able to train and learn valuable techniques from Brunson and other experienced basketball voices in the area.
All proceeds from Brunson’s skills camp were donated to the Stevenson Foundation, supporting various senior scholarships and other student programs at the school.
But it was only step one of Brunson’s philanthropic efforts for the week.
All proceeds from Brunson’s skills camp were donated to the Stevenson Foundation, supporting various senior scholarships and other student programs at the school.
But it was only step one of Brunson’s philanthropic efforts for the week.
His new charitable organization, the Second Round Foundation, hosted a golf tournament Thursday at the Twin Orchard Country Club in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, roughly five miles from Stevenson High.
Tagged as the “Jalen Brunson Charity Golf Classic,” the event helped raise funds for the foundation, which prides itself on guiding the next generation through academics, sports, and outreach. Specifically, the Second Round Foundation strives to empower young individuals to go the extra mile, adopt a leadership mentality, and not allow any outside factors to interfere with their growth.
The tournament featured celebrity guests and prominent figures from the Chicago area, including ESPN’s Michael Wilbon, who hosted a dinner and spoke to guests following the event. Plenty of Brunson’s NBA peers joined the action, too, including Knicks teammate Josh Hart, former teammate Obi Toppin, and his father, Rick Brunson.