BOSTON – If Jalen Branson’s No. 11 is retired by the Knicks and hangs from the rafters at Madison Square Garden, Evan Fournier will have played an important part in that story.
Hours before facing the Celtics in Game 2 of the conference semi-finals, Branson explained the winding path behind his choice to wear No. 11 with the Knicks, and why he opted to stick with that number even when other options opened up.
During his first four seasons with the Mavericks, Branson wore No. 13 to honor his favorite NBA player, Steve Nash. The connection makes sense; like Nash, Branson is a smaller, crafty point guard who relies more on skill and footwork than sheer athleticism. “When he dribbles under the basket and everyone has to react, suddenly he’s left with the midrange big and it’s hard to know what to do. I think I learned that from him,” he reflected. “I learned a lot from him.” He believes Nash changed the game.
However, when Branson joined the Knicks in 2022 as a highly sought-after free agent, Fournier already had No. 13. At that point, Fournier was a seasoned veteran, known for setting the Knicks’ three-point record that season.
Branson hesitated. “I wanted to wear 13 here… But I didn’t want to ask, didn’t want to put anyone in a difficult spot,” he admitted.
His second choice was No. 1, a number he sported while winning two national titles at Villanova. But Obi Toppin was already wearing that jersey with the Knicks.
Once the top free agents signed, Branson mustered the courage to ask for those numbers. He thought maybe teammates would work things out, as tends to happen.
As a rookie, Branson wasn’t accustomed to leveraging his status just yet. It wasn’t until Julius Randle was traded that he felt comfortable enough to officially claim his spot in the lineup. “I didn’t want to stir the pot or create any drama,” he said.
Within a season and a half, both Fournier and Toppin were traded. By that time, Branson had solidified his role as a star in the Knicks and his jersey was becoming increasingly popular. Last season, he ranked among the top players in jersey sales—behind notable names like Luka Doncic, Steph Curry, and LeBron James.
Branson became quite attached to No. 11. Currently, Cam Payne is wearing No. 1, while No. 13 is still available. “I stuck with it. Not going to lie, seeing kids around the arena wearing No. 11 is something special. I didn’t want to change my number,” he shared.
He may very well be the last Knicks player to wear that number. In just three seasons, Branson has already become a two-time All-Star, even becoming a starter this year—making him the first Knicks guard to achieve All-NBA status since Walt Frazier.
Even more impressively, Branson has emerged as a playoff star, averaging over 30 points per game and having already surpassed Carmelo Anthony and Bernard King’s playoff wins in New York.
Branson still has a way to go to match Nash’s two MVP awards and four conference finals appearances. Should he reach that level, it will certainly be influenced by Nash, though he won’t be wearing that number.
“I met him when I was younger,” Branson recalled. “I knew reaching out was an option, and I hoped he’d reply. I wouldn’t call him a mentor, but I respect him a lot and I think he respects me too.”
