Jalen Brunson's mom on teaching him to be a leader: "It's how you respond"

Sandra Brunson, mother of NBA star Jalen Brunson, shared insights into her philosophy of leadership and empowerment, shaped by her own experiences as a Division I volleyball player at Temple University. She co-founded The Second Round Foundation with her son in 2022, aiming to equip young people with essential resources for success.

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It really opened my eyes to possibilities.

The foundation's mission focuses on providing educational opportunities, access to sports, healthy nutrition, and other critical support systems. Sandra explained that the foundation was inspired by Jalen's journey, particularly his experience as the 33rd pick in the NBA draft. She wanted him to understand that success is not solely defined by draft position but by perseverance and dedication.

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The Second Round Foundation was born out of Jalen's journey.

Speaking at the Aspen Ideas: Health conference, Sandra Brunson highlighted the importance of addressing youth mental health. She believes that providing resources directly to schools and families is the most effective way to make a significant impact. The foundation operates with a methodical, volunteer-driven approach, emphasizing slow but steady progress.

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The fastest way that we can have an impact is to go to schools where children need resources and families need resources.

Sandra's parenting philosophy mirrors her foundation's approach: hard work, no shortcuts, and maintaining perspective. She shared a personal tradition of leaving Jalen short notes of encouragement, starting around his sophomore year of high school. These notes, often devotional in nature, were placed where he would see them daily, like his bathroom mirror or the refrigerator. She also texted him before games to offer encouragement and help him contextualize the pressures of competition.

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I would say it started about his sophomore year in high school. So I started giving him like devotionals or little notes. Tape it to the mirror in the bathroom, tape it to the fridge. I would put it in his lunch bag.