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By Aman Sharma
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A New York Knicks star now owns the top pro honor handed out by Philadelphia’s sports writers.
The Philadelphia Sports Writers Association named Jalen Brunson its 2026 Professional Athlete of the Year on Oct. 30, according to the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy. The Knicks point guard will collect the award at the 122nd annual PSWA Awards Banquet on Jan. 11, 2027.
Mike Shute, president of the 17-member association, explained the choice in its announcement.
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“His skill, his leadership, and his connection to the Philadelphia basketball community all make him a deserving recipient of this honor. He plays his best when the stakes are the highest and has led his teams to championships at every level,” Shute said. “We are pleased to present him with this honor, as he joins a list of past winners such as Carl Lewis, Muhammad Ali, Wilt Chamberlain and Mike Schmidt.”
Villanova is where Brunson played his college basketball, though he hails from New Brunswick, New Jersey. He also roots for the Eagles.
On the court, his case is easy to make. Brunson earned Finals MVP honors last season after carrying the Knicks to their first crown since 1973.
New York needed only four games to dispatch the 76ers during that run, and Brunson also collected Conference Finals MVP honors.
Past honorees point to a different pattern. Cristopher Sanchez, Saquon Barkley, Carli Lloyd, Jaron Ennis and Jalen Hurts either played for Philadelphia teams or came from the area.
Writer Kevin Kinkead called the situation “hilarious optics,” and the venue adds to the joke. The banquet moves from its usual hotel in Cherry Hill to the Palestra at the University of Pennsylvania.
It’s an awkward stage for a Villanova product. The Wildcats left the Big 5 a few months ago after disagreeing over the format.
Philadelphia’s own roster adds another wrinkle. The Sixers brought in LeBron James and Jaylen Brown in the offseason and shape up as one of the main threats to New York this season.
Brunson won’t wait long for a reaction. The Knicks and 76ers open the 2026 NBA Cup against each other just hours after the announcement.
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