BOSTON — If Jalen Brunson’s No. 11 is ever retired by the Knicks and hung in MSG’s rafters, Evan Fournier, of all people, will have played an important role.
Hours before he tipped off against the Celtics in Game 2 of the conference semifinals, Brunson revealed the winding origin story of his decision to not only wear No. 11 with the Knicks, but also to stick with that number when his initial two choices became available.
In his first four NBA seasons with the Mavericks, Brunson wore No. 13 as a tribute to his favorite NBA player — Steve Nash. The attraction to Nash made sense for Brunson, who is also a small and crafty point guard reliant on footwork and smarts over athleticism.
“When he would dribble under the basket and everyone would have to fan out and all of the sudden he’s alone with the big in the midrange and the big doesn’t know what to do — I feel like I learned that from him,” Brunson said Wednesday. “I learned a lot [from him].
“I think he revolutionized that.”
But when Brunson joined the Knicks as a $104 million free agent in 2022, Fournier was wearing No. 13. The Frenchman at that point was a 10-year veteran who just set the Knicks record for 3-pointers in a season.
Brunson demurred.
“I wanted to wear 13 here. … [But] I just didn’t want to ask, didn’t want to say anything,” he said.
Brunson’s second choice was No. 1, which he wore while winning two national titles at Villanova. But Obi Toppin was entering his third season with that Knicks jersey.
As the top free agent signing, Brunson probably had enough cachet to at least ask for those numbers. Maybe even offer his teammates money for those numbers — as other players tend to do.
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But as a newcomer, Brunson didn’t feel comfortable flexing his status. Relatedly, the now-28-year-old also waited until Julius Randle was traded before being announced last during home lineup introductions.
“I wanted to earn things, I didn’t want to do anything to kind of show status or anything like that,” Brunson said, “so No. 11 came about and I’ve been rocking it ever since. That’s why I chose the number.”
Within 1 ½ seasons, Fournier and Toppin were both traded. But Brunson had already established himself as the top Knicks star and his jersey was gaining popularity. Last season, his No. 11 was fifth in sales in the NBA — behind Luka Doncic, Steph Curry, LeBron James and Jayson Tatum.
Brunson became attached. Now, Cam Payne wears No. 1, and No. 13 remains open.
“I stuck to it, I stuck to it. Not gonna lie, we don’t really talk about this that much, but seeing little kids wear No. 11 around the Garden, it’s a special feeling and I didn’t want to change my number,” Brunson said.
He might also be the last Knick to wear it. In just three seasons, Brunson has twice been an All-Star — including being named a starter this year — and was the first Knicks guard on All-NBA since Walt Frazier.
More impressively, Brunson entered Wednesday as a spectacular playoff performer, averaging over 30 points with the Knicks. His three playoff series wins already eclipsed the New York careers of Carmelo Anthony and Bernard King.
Brunson still has a ways to go to reach Nash’s career of two MVPs and four conference finals. And if that happens, it’ll be with Nash’s influence — but not his number.
“I met him when I was younger,” Brunson said. “I had the ability to reach out and knew that he’d respond. I don’t want to say he’s a mentor, but he’s someone that if I really wanted to I know that he’d respond. I have that respect for him and from what I’ve seen he has that respect for me also.”
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