A Monument to Greatness: New York Knicks Set to Unveil Jalen Brunson Statue at Madison Square Garden Following Eastern Conference Finals
New York, NY – May 27, 2025
In a historic and deeply emotional announcement, the New York Knicks revealed that a statue of star point guard Jalen Brunson will be unveiled at Madison Square Garden this summer, a tribute that honors not only his on-court brilliance but his off-court leadership, loyalty, and cultural impact on the city of New York. The announcement comes on the heels of the Knicks’ incredible playoff run, as the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 24 years, with Brunson as their undisputed engine and leader.
The statue will be the first-ever dedicated to an active Knicks player, and the first of its kind at Madison Square Garden honoring a modern-era star. The tribute has been met with an outpouring of emotion and support from fans, media, and the basketball world at large, as Jalen Brunson’s legacy enters a new, eternal chapter in the annals of Knicks and NBA history.
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A Legend Born in the Mecca
Jalen Brunson’s journey with the Knicks began in 2022, when he signed a free-agent deal that many considered bold but risky. Critics doubted his ability to carry a team in a leading role, but Brunson silenced all doubters with a blend of fearless playmaking, tough-as-nails defense, and icy clutch performances. By 2025, he had become the face of the franchise—and more importantly, the heart of a reborn Knicks culture.
This playoff season has cemented Brunson’s status as a generational figure in Knicks history. He averaged over 32 points per game in the postseason, with memorable performances against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat. In Game 7 of the second round, Brunson’s 48-point explosion lifted the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals, their first since the days of Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston.
But it isn’t just the points. It’s the poise, the leadership, the humility. It’s his willingness to speak about mental health, his efforts to engage in community work across all five boroughs, and his refusal to abandon the Knicks despite larger offers from rival teams.
In short, Jalen Brunson became New York.
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The Statue Announcement: A Moment Frozen in Time
The announcement was made official on Tuesday morning by Knicks President Leon Rose, who stood at center court in Madison Square Garden surrounded by Brunson’s teammates and family members.
> “Jalen Brunson’s name will live forever in the Garden. This statue is not just about basketball. It’s about heart. It’s about loyalty. It’s about carrying the torch for a city that demands greatness,” Rose said, visibly emotional.
A rendering of the statue was revealed on the Garden jumbotron: Brunson in full Knicks regalia, arms raised after hitting one of his iconic fadeaway jumpers—one that sealed a Game 5 victory over the Heat, pushing New York one step closer to the Finals. The sculpture, created by renowned artist Thomas E. Price, is set to be installed just outside the Chase Entrance of Madison Square Garden, alongside a new “Legacy Walk” honoring Knicks greats from past generations.
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Jalen’s Response: “This City Changed My Life”
Brunson, humbled by the gesture, gave a heartfelt speech that resonated with players and fans alike. With his parents and wife beside him, he said:
> “I came to New York with dreams, not expectations. This city changed my life. It challenged me, tested me, made me a better man and a better player. I share this honor with my teammates, with the fans, with every kid who grew up in this city believing they could make it. This isn’t my statue—it’s our statue.”
Brunson paused several times during the speech to fight back tears, especially when addressing the late Knicks legends who came before him. He paid tribute to Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Patrick Ewing, and Phil, the recently deceased former Knicks star, whose passing had deeply impacted the team earlier in the week.
> “I walk in their footsteps,” Brunson said. “And I hope I’ve made them proud.”
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Fans React: “He’s One of Us”
From Harlem to Brooklyn, the news of the statue has lit up the city. Fans gathered outside Madison Square Garden almost immediately after the announcement, some waving handmade Brunson posters, others blasting Knicks anthems from portable speakers.
Longtime Knicks season ticket holder and Bronx native Maritza Delgado said, “Brunson is the soul of this team. You see him and you feel hope again. I watched Ewing, I watched Sprewell, and now I get to watch Jalen Brunson. This statue? It’s about time.”
Twitter and Instagram were flooded with messages of support, with the hashtag #BrunsonStatue trending within minutes. Knicks legend John Starks tweeted:
> “No one deserves this more. Jalen brought the fire back to MSG.”
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The Making of the Statue: Art Imitating Passion
Renowned African American sculptor Thomas E. Price, whose public art has been displayed from Los Angeles to Lagos, was commissioned for the statue. Price said working on Brunson’s tribute was the most emotional project of his career.
> “You don’t just sculpt a man. You sculpt his essence,” Price explained. “Jalen’s energy, the way he carries himself, his respect for the game and the city—all of that had to be captured.”
The statue took six months to complete and involved extensive 3D modeling, input from Brunson himself, and over 2,000 pounds of bronze. It will stand 12 feet tall, resting atop a base made of granite from upstate New York, symbolizing strength and permanence.
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Teammates Pay Tribute
Josh Hart, Brunson’s longtime teammate and close friend, expressed his pride.
> “I’ve seen this man grind every day. The blood, the sweat, the sacrifice—nobody deserves this more. We talk about legacy in the locker room. Jalen is legacy.”
Donte DiVincenzo added, “Brunson changed the way we play, the way we think. He raised the standard. Playing with him is like playing with destiny.”
Coach Tom Thibodeau said the statue announcement gave the team extra motivation heading into the final stretch of the playoffs.
> “We’re still chasing the ultimate prize,” Thibodeau said. “But no matter what happens, Jalen’s impact is forever.”
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A Cultural Icon Beyond Basketball
Brunson’s influence stretches far beyond the hardwood. He’s been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, founding the “Mind Over Matter” initiative, which offers therapy scholarships to inner-city youth. He’s also heavily involved in educational programs in the Bronx and Queens, and has donated millions to community centers, school music programs, and food drives.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver commended Brunson’s impact both on and off the court:
> “Jalen Brunson embodies everything the NBA strives to represent—excellence, leadership, compassion, and community. The statue in New York is not just a tribute to a player. It’s a beacon of inspiration.”
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Looking Ahead: The Legacy Continues
As the Knicks prepare for their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000, the team does so under the gaze of a new guardian—a towering reminder of what grit, determination, and love for the city can build.
Whether or not the Knicks capture the title this year, Brunson’s statue ensures that his story will be told for generations. It will be a place where fans can gather before games, children can marvel at their hero cast in bronze, and the city can remember the player who brought hope back to the Garden.
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Ceremony Details
The unveiling of the statue is scheduled for July 15, 2025, and will be open to the public. The ceremony will feature performances from local artists, tributes from former Knicks players, and a speech by Brunson himself.
Madison Square Garden will also debut a new interactive exhibit inside the arena dedicated to Brunson’s Knicks career, including memorabilia, highlights, and personal mementos curated in collaboration with the Brunson family.
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Final Thoughts
Jalen Brunson’s story is not over—it’s still being written with every pass, every bucket, every battle in orange and blue. But the statue at Madison Square Garden will stand forever, a monument to a man who did the impossible:
He brought the Knicks back.
And for that, New York says—thank you.
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