All posts tagged: Jalen

Jalen Brunson, ‘Captain Clutch,’ ices Game 1 for Knicks

Published by Sam Flores

The San Antonio Spurs had taken a 1-point lead, with just more than two minutes to play in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals last night, when something remarkable happened. Two words: Jalen Brunson. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. The Knicks point guard hit a corner 3-pointer to give them the lead, and then moments later, he hit a falling-down jump shot to ice the game. That’s why they call him Captain Clutch. We break down Brunson’s heroics below, and Mexico’s teenage sensation Gilberto Mora is today’s World Cup spotlight. For more NBA and World Cup coverage, check out the NBC News website. NBA Finals One of the most common refrains used to describe the NBA playoffs is that the game slows down. Not necessarily that the basketball becomes easier, but each minute is so tense, both teams are so focused and each possession is so tight that the winner is often decided by which team — or player — can …

A Guide to Every Player Named Jalen in the NBA

Published by Jenni Sidey

The three most important NBA phenomena of the 21st century are, in some order: the player empowerment era, the three-point revolution, and everyone being named some form of Jalen. The first refers to the labor-driven idea that players control the league, not the executives, leading to superstars voicing their displeasure and switching teams more often than ever. The second was born from simple mathematics, as players collectively realized that shooting three pointers gets you more points. The final one is the newest, and arguably the most noticeable. Put bluntly, there are hella professional basketball players named Jalen (or Jaylen, Jaylin, and even Jaylon). In fact, as of this writing, there are 15 different versions of that name all over NBA rosters, all of them younger than 30. This checks out, given larger societal trends. Per BabyCenter.com, the name Jalen peaked in popularity in the year 2000. The influx of baby Jalens in America eventually became adult Jalens in the NBA, some of whom are extremely nice with it. Five members of the Jalen/Jaylen/Jaylin/Jaylon cohort have …

Jalen Smith pleads guilty in sweeping NCAA basketball point shaving scandal

Published by skeptic

Jalen Smith, one of the alleged fixers of a sprawling basketball point-shaving operation, admitted in federal court in Philadelphia that he played a key role in the scheme that stretched from U.S. college programs to a professional league in China. Appearing before U.S. District Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro, the 30-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to bribery in sporting contests, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud. He also admitted to a separate charge of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. #BREAKING: Jalen Smith Pleads Guilty to Bribery and Point-Shaving Scheme to Fix #NCAA, CBA Men’s Basketball Games @RWW pic.twitter.com/B9jMLp3I5u — Suswati Basu (@suswatibasu) March 9, 2026 Federal prosecutors say Smith worked as a central organizer in a network of so-called fixers who bribed basketball players to intentionally underperform during games. By manipulating individual performances and final margins, the group placed bets through sportsbooks designed to cash in when teams failed to meet expectations against the point spread. Investigators …

Jalen Brunson Brought Winning Back to New York

Published by Sam Flores

“You’re a hell of a player,” a man says in passing. Standing at six feet two with a low, compact build, Brunson arrives in a weekend uniform: sky-blue Nike hoodie with Ray-Bans dangling from the collar, black sweatpants, and a matching beanie pulled low over his rounded head. Even with generational wealth and a place on the city’s A-list, the 29-year-old Brunson insists, convincingly, that he has not shed the no-frills mantle of an Everyman. “It’s not like my lifestyle is different,” he says. “You see where I came to meet you. I’m a regular guy who goes to a local coffee shop to grab tea or coffee or whatever. It doesn’t change the way I live.” As he speaks, Brunson glances briefly at his phone. He has missed a call from Josh Hart, his former college teammate and closest friend on the Knicks. Off the court, the two host a podcast, Roommates Show, a fairly standard athlete-led gabfest, featuring interviews with teammates, coaches, and other NBA figures. Brunson guesses the call was about a …

The Real-Life Diet of Detroit Pistons Center Jalen Duren, Who Eats a Pound of Grapes Per Day

Published by Jenni Sidey

Jalen Duren, the starting center for the wildly entertaining Detroit Pistons, is an athletic marvel. With a six-foot-ten stature, 250-pound weight, and protruding muscles, Duren has the type of body that was ready-made for the NBA as a teenager. In fact, when he made his professional debut, he was the youngest player in the league, at just 18 years old. Four years later, Duren is primed to make his first All-Star team, and credits many internal changes for his improved play. Given his revamped approach to health and wellness, it’s perhaps no surprise that his points per game average is the highest of his career. Out went Sour Patch Kids and massive, growing-young-man portion sizes, in went tasty summer fruits and regular soft-tissue massages. Duren has kept a few things consistent during his four years in Detroit, though, like avoiding the pregame spreads at NBA arenas, and maintaining his cinephile habits on the Pistons’ charter flights. In our conversation, Duren explained the dental hygiene-based reason for his new diet, his favorite Leonardo DiCaprio movie, and …

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