Jalen Brunson's earliest known autograph, scrawled in his middle school yearbook as a 14-year-old, is now up for auction and is expected to sell for over $2,000.
The autograph, found in the 2011 yearbook from Twin Groves Middle School in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, was signed by Brunson, who was then captain of the school's basketball team. The inscription reads, "Jalen Brunson #13 (1 out of 1)."
The yearbook's owner, a former middle school teammate of Brunson's who wishes to remain anonymous, told The New York Post that the "1 out of 1" inscription was an inside joke between them. "I asked him to write that when he signed it because I joked that he was going to be a star someday," the owner said. "We definitely knew he had a future in basketball. He stood out even at that age."
The owner decided to put the yearbook up for sale after witnessing the Knicks' recent NBA Finals run, their first in 53 years. "After watching the Finals, it reminded me how cool and unique of a piece it is. I’ve had it for a long time and figured now might be a good time to see what kind of interest is out there," he explained.
He lost touch with Brunson after middle school. Brunson went on to play at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, and then at Villanova University, where he won two NCAA national championships. The yearbook's owner does not know if Brunson is aware the item is being auctioned.
Mike Provenzale, production manager at Heritage Auctions, which is handling the sale, commented on the potential for Brunson to bid on the yearbook. "If he does know about the auction, Brunson hasn’t mentioned it publicly. But perhaps that’s just so he can try to win the yearbook. That would be pretty funny," Provenzale told The Post. "I’m sure he’d remember signing it that way."
The auction is being held online through Heritage Auctions’ Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction and concludes on Sunday. Provenzale noted that the yearbook is "one of the most unique Brunson pieces we’ve seen, so it will attract a lot of interest among collectors."
The memento was part of a collection of approximately $50 million worth of sports memorabilia displayed at Heritage's Park Avenue showroom. Provenzale added that the yearbook was a popular item among visitors, describing it as "a unique view of a celebrated athlete and getting yearbooks signed is something everyone can relate to. So this piece checks a lot of boxes for collectors and fans."
