The New York Knicks Guard Jalen Brunson’s support system includes his mother, Sandra Brunson. Sandra took a chance by flying commercial to Game 5 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio, rather than taking the charter from New York.
Sandra’s family has become comfortable with uncertainty. Leading up to the NBA Finals, there have been a few changes. Changes she knew would be hard on her family.
Sandra fell in love in college. She didn’t know the NBA’s future with her partner, Rick Brunson. She built a life with him while people didn’t believe he would make it to the NBA at all, and if he did, he wouldn’t last long. People doubted his path going into the NBA, questioning whether it was the right choice for him, and she stayed with him, hoping that all the hard work would pay off.
Rick played point guard for the Temple Owls from 1991 to 1995. He also played nine seasons in the NBA and has worked as an assistant coach for multiple teams. As a player, some of his career highlights included McDonald’s All-American Co-MVP in 1991 and first- and second-team All-Atlantic 10 in 1994 and 1995, respectively.
Rick is the current Knicks assistant coach. While he was away in Australia playing professional basketball, Sandra had to have their baby on her own. A family they created together had to be delivered by only one person, even though it was created by two. This shows that Sandra can handle difficult circumstances and be brave when she needs to be.
There was a risk in allowing the first child to follow in his father’s career path. Knowing how hard this profession could be, knowing how hard being on the road could be. It’s rough and can be uncertain. Sandra took that chance anyway.
Sacrificing is a guarantee in this world. People do it at some point in their lives. It matters because families need one another, and no one makes it on their own. Support is a choice, and that’s what Sandra did; she chose to be there for her family even when it was hard. But as she stood in the San Antonio Frost Bank Center Saturday night, the risks were actually worth it. In fact, she said that she never saw any of it as a challenge at all.
Having support behind you can lead you far because they are there on good days, bad days, and even the in-betweens. Support can lift you when you can’t do it yourself.
In a statement, Sandra Brunson said” All I can say is it’s about belief. “I remember asking Jalen during his junior year of college if there was one word that he would use to encompass everything he’s about. He said, ‘Belief.’ Believing in yourself and having your family believe in you can help with achieving goals and even with doubts.
That belief led him to become a champion in the 2026 NBA Finals.ì
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