Jalen Brunson recalls why, as a kid, he wouldn't let Michael Jordan sign his jersey

Jalen Brunson has come a long way from being a second-round pick of the Dallas Mavericks to becoming an All-Star and bona fide leader of the resurgent New York Knicks. 

Although the lefty guard is only playing in his sixth season in the league, he’s been around the NBA since he was a little boy, tagging along with his father, former NBA guard Rick Brunson.

The elder Brunson was a career backup point guard who played for eight NBA teams. Jalen often accompanied his father to his games, and it was during one game against the Washington Wizards he got to meet the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) Michael Jordan.

Didn’t let MJ sign his jersey

Speaking from “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” the All-Star guard relayed his meeting with the Chicago Bulls’ legend, who was then playing for the Wizards. After the game, his father took him to meet Jordan. 

His Airness, upon seeing that Jalen had his Wizards jersey on, offered to sign the jersey. But much to MJ’s surprise—and the entire locker room for that matter—Jalen refused.

“He said, ‘Hey, you have my jersey, do you want me to sign it?’ I said, ‘Nah, you’ll mess it up,’” Brunson shared.

“The whole locker was going crazy, laughing.”