NBA Champion Jalen Brunson: A D3 Basketball Coach’s Lens

Jalen Brunson and the Power of Intent

When I think about Jalen Brunson, one of the biggest things that stands out is his intent.

When he was being recruited [at the collegiate level], there was no question that he wanted to be shown, told and convinced about how he could become an NBA player. He felt in his heart that he would be that.

Everybody you recruit thinks that, but he had incredible intent.

It wasn’t, “I want to make the NBA.” It was, “What is it really going to take for me to do this? How will we get there?”

Jalen wanted to understand the reality.

Most of the time as a coach, you’re selling a vision for a player. They may want it, but they don’t always understand what it takes to achieve it.

Jalen wanted to know what the process would look like. The biggest thing for him was trusting the plan.

Some other schools recruited him, like Iowa, Ole Miss and Georgia. But many programs didn’t really recruit him. We had a track record [at Stevenson] with guys like him — individuals who have been undervalued in certain ways, but who had a real inner drive and desire.

That’s something I think about a lot when I talk to student-athletes today. The path is important, but understanding yourself and finding the environment where you can grow is what really matters.

When I talk about Division III, that’s what I try to explain to families.

This will set you up for long-term success. These possibilities will position you for long-term relationships, friendships and happiness in your life.

Going off to college and playing a sport you love should be one of the highlights of your life.

You’re old enough to understand what’s important, but you’re still young and energetic enough to take advantage of everything around you. You can develop values. You can gain an education. You can build relationships that can propel you toward a career and a fulfilling life.

That’s the message I try to share with people who are considering D3 athletics, including Carthage men’s basketball recruits.

It’s a great path. It’s a tremendous path.

Some other paths have a lot of glitz and glamour. Things can seem like quick fixes, but those paths aren’t always as easy as they look. They can be enticing, but they can also come with challenges.

Division III isn’t easy. It’s not perfect. But it can be so, so, so rewarding.

I say that from my experience. I say that from my players’ experiences. I say that from my sons’ experiences.

I’m in a unique situation right now because I’m a parent who has just gone through it. My two sons (Matthew and Evan Ambrose) have been through the process, and now they’re coaching in Division I at Purdue Fort Wayne and Arkansas Little Rock, respectively.

I’ve seen great things in Division I basketball, but I’ve also seen what can make that level challenging.

So when I talk to families, I’m not saying one path is better than another. I’m saying that finding the right fit matters.

The most critical thing is to surround yourself with people who value relationships, loyalty and development — rather than those looking for a quick fix or temporary solution.

That’s what I’ve seen from student-athletes, D3 or not, who have succeeded.

They understand that it’s not always about what happens immediately. It’s about who you become along the way.