In the NBA, there are many players who have become famous thanks to their outstanding playing skills. Not only that, they also have nicknames to become more familiar to fans.

We can mention big names like Kobe Bryant (Black Mamba), Tim Duncan (The Fundamental), Stephen Curry (Chef), Nikola Jokic (Joker), LeBron James (King) … Among them, there is a top star of New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson, who also has his own nickname, which is “1A”.

Jalen Brunson’s nickname 1A is not really popular with the majority of NBA fans. But for those who regularly follow the New York Knicks and Jalen Brunson’s teammates, this name has become too familiar to call the 1996-born guard.

In this article, The Sporting News will provide you with information about Jalen Brunson’s nickname 1A.

Jalen Brunson has been nicknamed 1A since December 21, 2023, when NBA and ESPN experts analyzed the New York Knicks’ chances of winning the 2023/24 season. Female analyst Becky Hammon shared the following: “It’s a team that is getting stable. They are well-coached, disciplined on defense, but they lack a real star. To be successful, you have to have a 1A player on the team.”

To refute the above argument, expert Kendrick Perkins said that the New York Knicks have such a player and that is Jalen Brunson. He affirmed that Jalen Brunson is the “1A player” that the New York Knicks own to play well this season.

However, Becky Hammon completely disagrees. She believes that Jalen Brunson lacks the height to be a leader for the team to success. She even gives specific examples: “If your best player is not tall enough, you cannot win a championship. John Stockton, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash are typical examples, and Stephen Curry is the only exception so far.”

However, she said she has absolutely no ill will towards Jalen Brunson when making the above statement. She just cannot put Jalen Brunson in her own list of 1A players, who, according to her, play at the level of top superstars in the NBA.

“I like the way Jalen Brunson plays. But he’s not a 1A player like LeBron James, Joel Embiid,” Becky Hammon explained.

Two days after the controversy, the New York Knicks faced the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden. Jalen Brunson had a great performance with a total of 36 points. As for Josh Hart, he was full of praise for his teammates when asked by reporters about Becky Hammon’s previous comments.

“He doesn’t care what other people say. He just cares about winning and being successful,” Josh Hart shared.

In the next match, Jalen Brunson continued to have 38 points, 6 assists for his teammates. Immediately, Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein posted a congratulatory status, with the affirmation “1A” for his teammate.

That’s how the nickname 1A for Jalen Brunson came about.

Jalen Brunson still has plenty of games to prove himself with the New York Knicks. If he can help the team achieve success this season, he will prove himself worthy of the 1A title that everyone has given him in the 2023/24 season.