Jalen Brunson's wife is Ali Marks, his high school sweetheart, whom he married on July 29, 2023, at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago. The New York Knicks point guard — born August 31, 1996, in New Brunswick, New Jersey — is 30 years old and one of the NBA's brightest stars, with an estimated net worth of around $20 million.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jalen Marquis Brunson |
| Date of Birth | August 31, 1996 |
| Age | 30 |
| Birthplace | New Brunswick, New Jersey |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Position | Point Guard |
| Current Team | New York Knicks (#11) |
| Wife | Ali Marks (married July 29, 2023) |
| Children | 1 daughter (Jordyn James Brunson) |
| College | Villanova (2× NCAA champion) |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$20 million (estimate) |
Early Life and College
Jalen Marquis Brunson was born on August 31, 1996, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and grew up in Lincolnshire, Illinois, where he attended Adlai E. Stevenson High School. Basketball runs in the family: his father, Rick Brunson, was an NBA player who later served as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks. Jalen was a five-star recruit, Illinois Mr. Basketball, and a McDonald's All-American before choosing Villanova University.
At Villanova (2015–2018), Brunson became one of college basketball's all-time greats. Over three seasons he played 116 games, averaging 16.1 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 51 percent from the field. He won two NCAA national championships (2016, 2018) and was named the National College Player of the Year in 2018 as a junior, also collecting the Bob Cousy Award (top point guard) and consensus first-team All-American honors. Villanova retired his No. 1 jersey. Internationally, he was the FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP in 2015 and was named USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.
NBA Career
Dallas Mavericks (2018–2022)
The Dallas Mavericks selected Brunson 33rd overall in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft. He spent four seasons in Dallas, breaking out in 2021–22 when he helped lead the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals.
New York Knicks (2022–present)
Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the New York Knicks in the summer of 2022 — a move that transformed his career. In his first Knicks season he posted a career year, earning his first NBA All-Star selection. He followed it up by averaging 28.7 points per game in the 2023–24 season with his second All-Star nod and a place on the All-NBA Second Team, cementing his status as the franchise's leader and one of the league's elite point guards.
In 2024, Brunson signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension with the Knicks beginning in the 2025–26 season — notably taking less than the maximum to give the team flexibility to build around him. The same summer, the Knicks named him team captain, the franchise's first captain in over a decade.
Accolades and Playing Style
Brunson is a three-time NBA All-Star (2024, 2025, 2026), a multiple All-NBA Second Team selection, and was named the NBA Clutch Player of the Year for the 2024–25 season. He scored a career-high 61 points in a single game during the 2023–24 campaign and has been one of the league's most productive playoff performers, raising his scoring average in the postseason across his career. Despite being an undersized guard at 6-foot-2, he is renowned for his elite footwork, crafty finishing in the paint, and calm leadership — qualities that made him a natural choice as Knicks captain.
Wife and Family
Brunson married Ali Marks on July 29, 2023, at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago after more than a decade together. The couple are high school sweethearts who met at Stevenson High School and began dating in 2013. Brunson proposed in September 2022 at center court of their high school gym, decorated with flowers and candles in a heart shape.
Ali is a physical therapist — she earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and exercise science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University. She works at ATI Physical Therapy in New York and had previously worked at clinics in Dallas and Chicago.
The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Jordyn James Brunson, on July 31, 2024. They had kept the pregnancy private, announcing her birth on Instagram in August 2024 with a black-and-white photo of baby Jordyn's hands.
Net Worth
Brunson's net worth is estimated at approximately $20 million (Surprise Sports), built on his NBA contracts — $104 million with the Knicks followed by the $156 million extension — plus endorsement deals. His career earnings place him among the league's best-compensated point guards. No confirmed figure exists, so this should be treated as an estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jalen Brunson's wife?
Ali Marks, his high school sweetheart. They married on July 29, 2023, at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago after dating for more than a decade. Brunson proposed in September 2022 at center court of their old high school gym.
What does Jalen Brunson's wife do?
Ali Marks is a physical therapist with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University, working at ATI Physical Therapy in New York. She previously worked at clinics in Dallas and Chicago.
Do Jalen Brunson and Ali Marks have children?
Yes — one daughter, Jordyn James Brunson, born July 31, 2024. The couple kept the pregnancy private and announced her birth on Instagram in August 2024.
How old is Jalen Brunson?
Born August 31, 1996, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, he is 30 years old.
What is Jalen Brunson's net worth?
Estimated at around $20 million, based on his NBA contracts ($104M deal plus $156M extension) and endorsement deals.