There'd be days in high school where I thought I played well, my team got the win, and I'd go to the gym still in my uniform, and my dad would say, 'C'mon, let's go. We have more work to do.'
— Jalen Brunson
I use what God had given me. I don't wish for anything else. I don't wish I can be a high-flier.
I think every player who truly loves basketball wants to be in the game at all times.
Basketball can only go for so long.
Let's just say I've learned a lot and seen things differently than any other average high school kid.
I want to have the strongest work ethic.
I want to play Villanova basketball.
I'm always finding a way to be successful.
Every goal for me is to be a leader on the court every time I step on the court.
I just feel like I've been in a lot of high-pressure situations, and I think I'm able to stay poised in those situations.
I need to be more aggressive, more vocal, be a better defender. I've worked on all those tirelessly.
It's definitely nice to be relaxed and a normal kid and hang out.
I know the NBA is my all-time goal. It's what I dreamed of as a little kid.
I was always taught that pressure comes when you aren't prepared or didn't work hard enough.
I can adapt to any situation.
He's always been tough on me, but I've had to figure out when he's being a coach and when he's being a dad. Once I figured that out, it was much easier. It's definitely tough, something that took years to figure out. Just knowing he was looking for what's best for me, not just yelling at me as a parent. It took maturity.
Stats aren't everything.
As I grew older, it wasn't just to be in the NBA. The dream was to be successful in the NBA.
You gotta play every game like your last.
When you work for something, no matter hard it is, no matter how time consuming, how draining it is, you work for it.
You respect people you grew up around.
There's always going to be a way for me to go around a defense or play mind games and find a way to win.
I just put pressure on myself to work hard.
I'm a competitor and work hard every day.
I think every time I step on the court, I'm just preparing myself to be the best player I can be, be the best teammate I can be as well.
I love 'Nova nation. I love them.
I love holding myself accountable and being held accountable by my teammates. It's never easy, but it comes with the role of being a leader, and if your leadership is not up to par, then the team won't be willing to work as hard.
One thing I was taught growing up is it's only pressure when you're not prepared. And you're just not working hard. Those are two things I do all the time.
My parents always told me never be a follower, always be a leader. It's very difficult to do, to step out and be different and not follow the norm. If you want what's best for your team, you gotta be different.
I want to be a part of a winning culture.
I've been able to contribute to a lot of winning teams in my lifetime. It just comes from my mindset. I've not focused on me individually; it's what the team needs.
I just focus on what I can control, and that's how hard I play and my attitude.
Some guys are always gifted: Amazing length, amazing athleticism. But just put me in front of that guy. That's my mindset. I'm gonna battle.
There's a lot of guys who are drafted and end up not playing in the NBA. They get their money for their first whatever years and end up going overseas or something like that.
I like who I am. I'm different. I work really hard just to be where I am, and I know I'm not gonna stop doing that.
I can't worry about what I'm doing to be the National Player of the Year; it's what am I doing to help my team be successful?
I just wanted to set myself up for life, and that degree from Villanova, I thought, is very special.
When you see people from your area do well, you're excited for them as well.
My mentality is my biggest strength.
I loved playing for Coach Ambrose, and I definitely love playing for Coach Wright.
I'm not satisfied with anything I do.
Every game's a big game.
It felt great knowing that I got to help the winningest class in Villanova history, to be able to be a part of that. It's something special.
I have to make sure I'm making the right play at the right time.
Honestly, I really just think I work too hard to feel any pressure.
I can control how hard I play. This is how I respond to coaching. This is how I respond to my teammates. If I focus on that, the other things that come with that are going to come.
Any kid in my position coming from being an All-American and all that wants to be the guy that makes all the plays coming into their freshman year.
I expect myself to be the best player I can be. I really believe I can be one of the best who's ever played. That's how hard I work. That's going to be my mindset no matter where I am or what I'm doing.
I'm pretty sure everyone in the country wants a bigger role if they're not a star player.
Good leaders, good team players, know how to make the most of everything.
