Captain Clutch is taking his shot at children’s literature.
Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks point guard who led his team to the NBA championship earlier this month, will make his literary debut with the children’s book Jalen Plays It All, illustrated by Neely Daggett.
Brunson started his professional basketball career playing for the Dallas Mavericks and signed with the Knicks in 2022. He is a three-time NBA all-star and was named the Finals MVP this year after his dominant performance against the San Antonio Spurs, who the Knicks dispatched in five games; the team rallied from a 29-point deficit in Game 4 to defeat their opponents.
In the book, publisher Feiwel & Friends says, Brunson “takes readers on a journey through his childhood, from swimming and football to baseball, tennis, and beyond, in his own words. Along the way, he discovers that success doesn’t happen overnight. There are mistakes, setbacks, and moments when giving up feels easier than pushing forward. But with every new experience, Jalen learns valuable lessons about discipline, confidence, teamwork, and perseverance.”
In a news release, Brunson said, “I hope kids read this book and realize they don’t have to have everything figured out. Keep trying new things, keep learning, and keep putting in the work. You never know where those experiences might take you.”
Jalen Plays It All will be published “as soon as possible,” according to Feiwel & Friends.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
