Any kid in my position coming from being an All-American and all that wants to be the guy that makes all the plays coming into their freshman year.
Jalen Brunson
I think every player who truly loves basketball wants to be in the game at all times.
I just feel like I've been in a lot of high-pressure situations, and I think I'm able to stay poised in those situations.
Every game's a big game.
I'm not satisfied with anything I do.
I want to play Villanova basketball.
I love 'Nova nation. I love them.
I loved playing for Coach Ambrose, and I definitely love playing for Coach Wright.
I want to have the strongest work ethic.
Every goal for me is to be a leader on the court every time I step on the court.
Let's just say I've learned a lot and seen things differently than any other average high school kid.
Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat!
I just know I can't force things. I've just got to play the right way, make sure I'm making the right play at the right time.
I just feel like there's a lot of things more important than just basketball, and I love basketball. It's what I want to do for the longest time possible. It's what I eat, it's what I sleep about, it's what I breathe, it's in my lifestyle. I just really feel like there's more important things than just putting the ball in the hoop.
I love the game of basketball. I love being able to work every day. I love being able to watch film, be a student of the game. It may not show emotionally, but I just love that I'm able to do this.
There's a lot of guys who are drafted and end up not playing in the NBA. They get their money for their first whatever years and end up going overseas or something like that.
Stats aren't everything.
Good leaders, good team players, know how to make the most of everything.
Some guys are always gifted: Amazing length, amazing athleticism. But just put me in front of that guy. That's my mindset. I'm gonna battle.
He's always been tough on me, but I've had to figure out when he's being a coach and when he's being a dad. Once I figured that out, it was much easier. It's definitely tough, something that took years to figure out. Just knowing he was looking for what's best for me, not just yelling at me as a parent. It took maturity.
I'm pretty sure everyone in the country wants a bigger role if they're not a star player.
I just focus on what I can control, and that's how hard I play and my attitude.
I can adapt to any situation.
I expect myself to be the best player I can be. I really believe I can be one of the best who's ever played. That's how hard I work. That's going to be my mindset no matter where I am or what I'm doing.
I've been able to contribute to a lot of winning teams in my lifetime. It just comes from my mindset. I've not focused on me individually; it's what the team needs.
I was always taught that pressure comes when you aren't prepared or didn't work hard enough.
I want to be a part of a winning culture.
I know the NBA is my all-time goal. It's what I dreamed of as a little kid.
I can control how hard I play. This is how I respond to coaching. This is how I respond to my teammates. If I focus on that, the other things that come with that are going to come.
My parents always told me never be a follower, always be a leader. It's very difficult to do, to step out and be different and not follow the norm. If you want what's best for your team, you gotta be different.
It's definitely nice to be relaxed and a normal kid and hang out.
Honestly, I really just think I work too hard to feel any pressure.
One thing I was taught growing up is it's only pressure when you're not prepared. And you're just not working hard. Those are two things I do all the time.
I need to be more aggressive, more vocal, be a better defender. I've worked on all those tirelessly.
I have to make sure I'm making the right play at the right time.
I love holding myself accountable and being held accountable by my teammates. It's never easy, but it comes with the role of being a leader, and if your leadership is not up to par, then the team won't be willing to work as hard.
It felt great knowing that I got to help the winningest class in Villanova history, to be able to be a part of that. It's something special.
I think every time I step on the court, I'm just preparing myself to be the best player I can be, be the best teammate I can be as well.
I'm always finding a way to be successful.
I'm a competitor and work hard every day.
I just put pressure on myself to work hard.
My mentality is my biggest strength.
There's always going to be a way for me to go around a defense or play mind games and find a way to win.
When you see people from your area do well, you're excited for them as well.
You respect people you grew up around.
Basketball can only go for so long.
I just wanted to set myself up for life, and that degree from Villanova, I thought, is very special.
When you work for something, no matter hard it is, no matter how time consuming, how draining it is, you work for it.
I can't worry about what I'm doing to be the National Player of the Year; it's what am I doing to help my team be successful?
You gotta play every game like your last.
