NBA · 1 hour ago

Jalen Brunson’s Historic Villanova Run: Celebrating 50 Years of the Wooden Award

Will Despart

Host · Writer

A Legacy Cemented in Basketball History
Where Does Brunson Rank Among College Greats?

From his unforgettable days at Villanova to becoming a franchise cornerstone for the New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson's journey is a testament to the excellence the Wooden Award represents. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this prestigious honor, we want to hear from you. Where does Brunson's 2018 season rank among the greatest college basketball campaigns of all time? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for our next Wooden Award Legend spotlight!
Celebrating 50 Years of Greatness
Honoring the Ultimate College Basketball Legends

The John R. Wooden Award will celebrate its 50th anniversary this season. Leading up to the award ceremony on April 10, 2026, The Sporting Tribune, in partnership with the Wooden Award and the Los Angeles Athletic Club, will highlight past winners of the Wooden Award and the Legends of Coaching Award.

Our latest look is at a Villanova legend, who has been proving doubters wrong in the NBA for years.
A Storybook Ending at Villanova
From College Great to NBA Stardom

Before Jalen Brunson became an All-NBA player with the New York Knicks and the face of basketball’s Mecca, he solidified himself as one of college basketball’s all-time greats with a three-year career at Villanova that saw him win a pair of national titles in 2016 and 2018 before being crowned the ‘18 Wooden Award winner to end his storybook run with the Wildcats.
The Foundation of a Champion
A Freshman Force for Jay Wright

As a freshman on the 2015-16 National Championship team, Brunson was already an integral piece. He earned implicit trust as Jay Wright’s point guard despite his youth and was a stabilizing force behind Villanova’s run that March after averaging 9.6 points and 2.5 assists in 40 appearances (39 starts) for the Wildcats.
The Sophomore Leap
Big East Dominance and March Heartbreak

As a sophomore, Brunson took the first major leap of his college career, boosting his scoring average to 14.7 points with a career-high 54.1 percent shooting clip. Villanova cruised to Big East regular season and tournament titles and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Still, an upset loss to No. 8 seed Wisconsin in the Round of 32 ended the Wildcats’ repeat bid.
Motivated by the Past
Bouncing Back for a Historic Junior Year

In hindsight, it’s possible that the loss to Wisconsin was the best thing for Brunson and Villanova heading into 2018. Clearly motivated by the embarrassment of falling short in 2017, Brunson wasted no time establishing himself as the best player in the country as a junior. The high-IQ scoring machine led Villanova to a 13-0 start, eventually finishing the regular season 27-4 before winning a second straight Big East tournament.
Total Tournament Dominance
The 2018 National Championship Run

Entering the 2018 NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed again, Brunson and Villanova were leaving nothing to chance this time around. The future NBA All-Star anchored the most dominant NCAA Tournament in the last quarter-century, beating opponents by an average of over 17 points per game en route to Villanova’s second national championship in three seasons.
Beyond the Blue and White
Second-Round Pick to New York Savior

Despite his dominance in college, Brunson was largely overlooked in the 2018 NBA Draft until he was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 33rd overall pick. His NBA career really began blossoming after his trade to New York in 2022, where he’s now been named a three-time All-Star, two-time second team All-NBA, and won the NBA Cup and NBA Cup MVP.
A Legacy Cemented in Basketball History
Where Does Brunson Rank Among College Greats?

From his unforgettable days at Villanova to becoming a franchise cornerstone for the New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson's journey is a testament to the excellence the Wooden Award represents. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this prestigious honor, we want to hear from you. Where does Brunson's 2018 season rank among the greatest college basketball campaigns of all time? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for our next Wooden Award Legend spotlight!
Celebrating 50 Years of Greatness
Honoring the Ultimate College Basketball Legends

The John R. Wooden Award will celebrate its 50th anniversary this season. Leading up to the award ceremony on April 10, 2026, The Sporting Tribune, in partnership with the Wooden Award and the Los Angeles Athletic Club, will highlight past winners of the Wooden Award and the Legends of Coaching Award.

Our latest look is at a Villanova legend, who has been proving doubters wrong in the NBA for years.