MVP? More Like M for Moms
A man recently went viral for expressing gratitude to the mother of Knicks star Jalen Brunson after an NBA Finals game.
Joe Clements found himself seated near Sandra Brunson in San Antonio and seized the moment to thank her directly. “Hi Mrs. Brunson, thank you so much for having that boy. He’s a franchise changer. We love him,” he said in a video that’s now gathered 1.7 million views and countless comments, many praising her as the “Queen of New York.”
In a 2020 interview, Jalen called Sandra his “100 percent best friend,” which just shows the bond they share. Clements shared her reaction to his heartfelt thanks on his Instagram, captioning it with a nod to her contribution: “All Knicks fans, take note. All basketball fans should be thankful to this amazing woman who gave the world the greatest Knick of all time!!!” He also acknowledged Jalen’s father, Rick, but said, “he did the easy part.”
Fans echoed Clements’ sentiments in the comments. They admired Sandra, particularly noting her volleyball career at Temple University, where she met Rick, who is an assistant coach for the Knicks. “She is truly the Queen of New York and deserves all the love and respect,” one fan remarked. Another added, “That woman will be protected and cherished by Knicks fans around the world.” Yet another said, “God bless that woman and her husband. They raised a real star.”
Some fans even suggested that Sandra should be treated like royalty. Comments like, “That woman should never pay for a meal in New York,” and “She should get a free pass anywhere in New York City. No questions asked,” suggested just that.
Moreover, Sandra co-founded the Second Round Foundation, a New Jersey nonprofit aimed at helping youth through education, sports, and community service. Jalen, reflecting on his upbringing, credits her with instilling resilience in him. “She was a general. She held me accountable for everything I did. If I was serious about something, I couldn’t quit until I got it done. She basically gave me that never-give-up spirit,” he shared.
And let’s not forget his athletic genes. “Thank you for my athleticism, because without you I wouldn’t have been able to jump this high,” he added, showing just how much he appreciates her influence.
