Jalen Brunson Statue Proposal Gains Momentum in New York
Following the Statue of Liberty, another statue is making waves in New York—this time, one dedicated to Knicks star Jalen Brunson. A proposed 6-foot-2 bronze statue is being championed by fans, just a short walk from Madison Square Garden.
Benjamin Cohen, an enthusiastic Knicks supporter, is leading the charge. He’s reached out to Mayor Zoran Mamdani through social media, urging him to support this initiative. Cohen believes Brunson is more than deserving of such an honor.
“He came to New York four years ago when we were in a tough spot. The Knicks were really struggling, and a lot of people were skeptical about Brunson. Some thought he was overpaid,” Cohen remarked. “But he worked tirelessly and led us to our first championship since 1973. I can’t think of anyone more influential in the city right now.”
Cohen has already identified an artist in Brooklyn ready to take on the sculpture. He’s also secured a location for where it could be displayed, though he opted not to reveal how much funding is required for the project.
“We’re looking to hire artists and have found a suitable spot near the Garden,” he added. “We’ve got community support and are working with the Department of Buildings to ensure everything is in order.”
Recently, Cohen had the chance to interview Mayor Mamdani at Gracie Mansion after the Knicks’ victory in the NBA Finals. During this conversation, he seized the opportunity to ask, “Everyone wants a statue of Jalen Brunson. Can we make it happen?”
Mamdani chuckled but wasn’t ready to commit. “I can’t promise that,” he replied.
Cohen shared this exchange with his over 2 million followers on social media, and it quickly gained traction, racking up more than 8 million views. It sparked supportive responses, including one from former Knicks player Stephon Marbury, who simply stated, “Build a statue!”
An unnamed commercial property owner close to Madison Square Garden has also expressed interest in hosting the statue, which has further motivated Cohen to push forward with the project.
“I’m hopeful that the city and the Garden will get behind this. But if that doesn’t happen, we’ll find a way to make it a reality ourselves,” he stated.
