Jalen Brunson’s profile keeps climbing beyond the court
Jalen Brunson has already become the face of the New York Knicks. Now he is set to step onto one of television’s biggest stages. The Knicks star will host the Season 52 premiere of Saturday Night Live on Sept. 26, with KATSEYE as the musical guest.
Brunson’s upcoming appearance places him in a long line of athletes who have hosted the iconic late-night show, a group that includes Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Charles Barkley, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Travis Kelce. For collectors, that kind of crossover exposure often adds another layer to an already strong card market.
And for Brunson, SNL is only the latest stop in a stretch that has pushed his name well beyond basketball circles.
A championship run that changed everything
Brunson led the Knicks to their first NBA championship in 53 years this summer, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in five games. The title immediately elevated his national profile and sent his market into a new tier.
He delivered one of his biggest performances in Game 5, scoring 45 points in New York’s 94-90 win. Brunson scored 15 of those points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks erased a seven-point deficit to close out the series.
That performance put Brunson in rare company. He became just the fourth player to score at least 45 points in a Finals closeout game, joining Michael Jordan, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bob Pettit. He also earned unanimous NBA Finals MVP honors.
The title run carried added meaning for Knicks fans. Before Brunson arrived in 2022, New York had won just one playoff series in 21 seasons. Since then, the Knicks have won at least one playoff series in each of his four seasons with the team.
From Madison Square Garden to Studio 8H
Brunson’s rise has made him one of the most recognizable athletes in the country, and his next two television appearances show how far his reach has expanded.
Related coverage includes Jalen Brunson’s TV Spotlight Meets a Red-Hot Knicks Card Market.
After hosting SNL, Brunson is scheduled to guest star in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 28, Episode 5 on Nov. 5. Details about his role have not been revealed.
The appearance also connects to a familiar face from the Knicks’ championship celebration. Mariska Hargitay, a longtime SVU star, joined in the team’s title festivities and has also appeared with Brunson during the opening of the Emmy Awards.
Brunson will return to basketball soon after his SNL appearance. The Knicks begin their title defense on Oct. 20 against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden.
Brunson’s card market reflects the surge
Brunson’s growing visibility has been matched by major sales in the hobby. Since the Knicks won the championship, four of his cards have topped $37,000, according to Card Ladder sales data.
The list includes multiple one-of-ones and a low-numbered Kaboom! card, with the top result reaching well beyond the others.
2024-25 Panini Revolution Kaboom! Vertical Gold Jalen Brunson /10 PSA 8
The 2024-25 Panini Revolution Kaboom! Vertical Gold #13 Jalen Brunson, numbered 2/10 and graded PSA 8, sold for $37,820 through Goldin on July 11. With only 10 copies in existence, it was the first of the Kaboom! cards to appear among Brunson’s biggest recent sales.
2024 Panini Prizm Black Nebula FOTL Jalen Brunson 1/1
A 2024 Panini Prizm Black Nebula FOTL Brunson #160 sold for $42,000 through Fanatics Premier on July 24. As a one-of-one, it was the first unique card on the list and marked a significant jump in value from the numbered Kaboom! sale.
2023-24 Panini Prizm Black Prizm Jalen Brunson 1/1 BGS 9.5
Another one-of-one followed when the 2023-24 Panini Prizm Black Prizm #9 Jalen Brunson, graded BGS 9.5, sold for $45,140 through Goldin on July 11. Even with the strong grade and the rarity of a 1/1, it still ranked below the biggest Brunson sale of the summer.
2024 Panini Revolution Kaboom! Vertical Green Jalen Brunson 1/1 PSA 9
The top sale on the list came from another Kaboom! card. The 2024 Panini Revolution Kaboom! Vertical Green Brunson #13, a one-of-one graded PSA 9, sold for $186,000 through Fanatics Premier on Aug. 28. That result was more than four times the price of the No. 2 card on the list.
A star whose reach now extends across sports and entertainment
Brunson enters the new NBA season as a champion, Finals MVP and one of the biggest names in the sport. His profile now stretches from Madison Square Garden to Studio 8H and soon to the set of SVU.
For collectors, the card market has already responded to that rise. For fans, the next chapter comes quickly, with the Knicks opening their title defense and Brunson continuing to add to a résumé that keeps growing in new directions.
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