City of Basketball Love

Stephen Pianovich (@SPianovich)
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Jalen Brunson had quite the impressive resume before he put on a Villanova uniform.

The biggest highlight of it was being named the MVP of the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship this summer, and the Villanova freshman received another honor for his international accomplishments on Monday.

Brunson was tabbed as the 2015 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year for averaging 14 points, 5.6 assists and 3.3 rebounds as the U.S. won the Gold Medal in Greece.

“It definitely means a lot, but it’s also a credit to everyone that has helped me – my parents especially, my coaches and teammates, coach (Sean) Miller,” Brunson said in a press release. “They helped put me in the right position so that I could be successful. It’s an individual honor, but at the same time it’s a team honor. Everyone helped me, and I can’t thank them enough.”

Brunson joins an esteemed list of past winners that includes LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan. The 2014 honor went to Cleveland Cavaliers point guard, Kyrie Irving.

Brunson was vital in Gold Medal game, as he scored all 14 of his points in either the second half or overtime and the U.S. topped Croatia, 79-71. He had seven assists and no turnovers in the win, and the Lincolnshire, Ill. native shot 54.2 percent in the seven games of the event.

“Jalen obviously had a tremendous performance at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship this past summer, and we are proud to recognize his incredible achievements,” USA Basketball CEO/Executive Director Jim Tooley said in a release. “As the team’s point guard he was the leader for the USA, and when the team needed it most, he stepped up as a scorer as well.”

Brunson, who was rated as the 16th-best recruit in the 2015 class by ESPN, is off to a solid start to his Villanova career. In 10 games, the 6-foot-3 guard is averaging 10.5 points and 3.1 assists per game.