Birthday boy Brunson: USA's vocal leader who does it all

MANILA (Philippines) - The United States stormed to a powerful start at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, with Anthony Edwards and Austin Reaves stealing most of the headlines. But don't sleep on Jalen Brunson.

Most of the team is around the same age, with 20-year-old Paolo Banchero the youngest and 28-year-old Bobby Portis Jr. as the oldest player on this roster. However, Brunson - who had the unique experience of celebrating his 27th birthday in Manila on Thursday - is probably the most experienced in these circumstances.

That's in part because his father Rick played professionally in the Philippines, but more so because Jalen already has a successful FIBA chapter behind him.

"JALEN IS SUCH A NATURAL LEADER."- Steve Kerr on Jalen Brunson

Back in 2015, Brunson led the USA to the top step of the podium at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Heraklion, Greece, edging out Croatia in an overtime thriller in the Final, 79-71. Brunson had 14 points and 7 assists in the title game, earning the MVP of the World Cup award for his performances.

"I remember everything. It was fun, it was a great experience. Happy we came away with a gold," he said, adding he still talks about it to his then-teammates, mostly when they see each other in the NBA.

Brunson was the MVP and the All-Star Five member of the U19 World Cup in 2015

Maybe that USA  experience comes in handy in an event like this World Cup in Manila.

"A little bit," Jalen offered. "This is a different challenge, a different group of guys. Playing before, you can use that experience to know how the games could go, how they are different from the NBA, but it's a different group, it's gonna be a different challenge, but I'll use it."

Coach Steve Kerr praised Brunson's leadership nearly a month ago, when the team first got together and started playing their tuneup games, saying "Jalen is such a natural leader, some guys just, it just comes naturally to them."

Teammates agree, especially the ones he played with in their NCAA championship winning days at Villanova.

 "(Playing with Jalen again) is great. He can just facilitate, score, do anything, and he has great vision and he's really efficient. He's a leader vocally and by example," Mikal Bridges said.

"It's good, he's a good leader, has good composure on the court, keeps everybody connected, and obviously the talent speaks for itself. He's a great teammate and I'm happy to be along the journey with him," Josh Hart pitched in, too.

The connection with Hart and Brunson goes even deeper than Villanova. The two of them are New York Knicks teammates, and their social media exchanges often sound exactly like the fights and pranks all of us had with our siblings.

Will they ever get bored of each other?

"I'm bored of him now," Josh said without hesitation.

"The feeling's definitely mutual," Jalen had the putback slam. "I see him way too often and I don't plan on hanging out with him the rest of the trip."

On a more serious note, having that 2015-18 Wildcats' camaraderie is a useful tool in the summer of 2023.

"It's fun. It's really fun. These guys haven't changed at all, they are the same dudes like seven-eight years ago, my freshman year," Brunson said about Bridges and Hart.

He does not shy away from the notion that he's the leader of this USA squad.

"I try and lead, I just try to make sure that we are all on the same page. When it comes on the court, sometimes scoring is needed, sometimes playmaking is needed, it's all about how you read the game. The thing that I try to do the most is keep everybody together, make sure we're all on the same page."

"IT'S ALL ABOUT PUTTING OUR EGOS TO THE SIDE."

Thinking back to all those successful USA teams from the 1992 Olympics onward, Brunson knows what the recipe for success is. When you have 12 guys used to a lot of minutes and bigger roles on their teams, it's challenging to make them understand that there's only one ball here, and only one goal, too.

To win the World Cup, you have to sacrifice. Your summer, your role, your ego.

"There's not necessarily one guy I looked up to (on old USA teams) and said that's who I want to be. But watching all the teams prior, it's memorable. A lot of great moments, a lot of iconic moments, you can pick and choose different players, moments and different teams, but for the most part, they all sacrificed. That's what I want to take from everybody."

The sacrifice will pay off, eventually. You just need to follow the leader.

FIBA