The New York Knicks are focused on the team’s upcoming 2025-26 season, and expectations are very high for what they’ll be able to do under new head coach Mike Brown. But, it’s not all about just basketball, all the time. These players are real people with hearts, and they’re often moved to give back. Let’s face it: These NBA players make a ton of money, and those who are grateful use some of that cash for the greater good.
Knicks star Jalen Brunson is one of the many NBA players who likes to give back. He has his own non-profit organization, Second Round Foundation, which “plants seeds to create equity for young people through education, sport and community,” according to a statement. “Our vision is to empower young people to determine their own success, regardless of background or circumstance,” they add.
On Tuesday, July 22, Brunson was actually in the kitchen at Dream Charter High School in the Bronx, and when he was there, he cooked with students, talked to them about life and announced a donation going towards their culinary education program.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks Cooks With Kids
The trip was part of Brunson’s ongoing work with the Second Round Foundation. The name of the organization, according to Russell Richardson of Posting & Toasting in a feature published on Wednesday, July 23, was “in honor of his selection in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft,” and “the organization focuses on empowering youth who may have been overlooked.”
While there, Brunson pledged more than $300,000 to support the school’s Scratch Food Kitchen program, which gives healthy, made-from-scratch meals to students and offers educational opportunities in the industry.
“According to Dream, 89% of their students qualify for free or reduced lunch,” Richardson notes in his feature. “That means the meals they receive at school are often their most consistent source of nutrition. Brunson’s support will help ensure that the food is not only nutritious, but also tied to student-led learning and professional growth.”
“Not having to worry about food or your next meal is a luxury everyone needs,” Brunson said during his visit, according to a video clip from CBS News. “For me, I just do the best I can to help.”
Jalen Brunson Names His Favorite NBA Player
Jalen Brunson is certainly as one of the best point guards in the NBA right now. Plenty of players look up to him. But, who is Brunson’s favorite NBA player of all time?
In a video posted on social media from @overtimemikey, Brunson was asked that question by a child. His answer was a good one.
“Steve Nash,” he said. “I watched Steve and how he played, because he’s undersized and not the most athletic and not fast and the dude won two MVPs.”
It makes sense that Brunson would gravitate to a favorite player who, like him, isn’t big. That makes for a good role model for Brunson. Nash, of course, was a Basketball Hall of Famer and played 18 seasons for the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.
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