Brunson was well-prepared for NBA, but rookie season is a challenge
It didn't take long for Jalen Brunson to get his "welcome to the NBA moment."
The second game of the season, the former Stevenson High School star found himself matched up against Derrick Rose.
"I wasn't star struck, it was just weird seeing him and actually playing against him," Brunson said Monday before facing the Bulls at the United Center. "He had a field day against me. I didn't back down, I just kept fighting and playing hard. Just trying to get my respect around the league."
Rose scored 28 points for Minnesota that night, but Dallas ended up winning a scoreboard-bender 140-136. As a 2015 high school graduate, Brunson spent plenty of time watching Rose during his days with the Bulls.
"Watching him growing up and then actually playing against him is completely different, so it was pretty cool," he said.
In many ways, Brunson was well-prepared for the NBA experience. His father, Rick, played in the league from 1998-2006 and has been an assistant coach for the Bulls, Nuggets, Bobcats and Timberwolves.
But there's obviously a huge difference between shooting around at the Berto Center and playing against actual NBA competition.
"I think I was ready for this, but just experiencing it is definitely eye-opening," Brunson said. "Off the court, you're traveling so much, it's just every other night you're flying to cities. So experiencing that is different. On the court, you're playing against the best players. You're playing against good players every night. No matter who's on the other team, any given night, you can win or lose."
Before Monday, Brunson had played at the United Center just once, for the McDonald's All-America game. At Stevenson, Brunson played against Bulls forward Jabari Parker in the 2013 state championship game, which Simeon won 58-40. Brunson's first basket in the second quarter of Monday's game was a drive past Parker.
Brunson made the most of his college career at Villanova, winning two national championships in three years, while graduating with a degree in communications. Bulls guard Ryan Arcidiacono was a college teammate for one season.
"He's so serious on the court, but off the court, he's a goof.," Arcidiacono said. "He's a fun guy to be around. He was my road roommate at Villanova. So he's a great dude and fiery competitor. He's obsessed with working out and trying to get better. I think that's what makes him great."
The Mavericks drafted Brunson in the second round last June, with the No. 33 overall pick. There have been games where he hasn't played much, but he has averaged 13.4 minutes and 4.4 points. He had a productive eight-minute run in the first half Monday, with Dallas outscoring the Bulls by 12 while he was on the floor.
"He's playing well. Very solid, always ready," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "He plays both point and the two and has done it well, so we have a strong belief in him. We were really pleased we were able to get him."
A group from Stevenson traveled to the United Center and some cheers could be heard the first time Brunson touched the ball late in the first quarter.
"I always go back to Stevenson as much as I can," he said. "Probably this summer when I have a little more time, I'll come back up here and do (basketball camp) again at my school."