Exclusive | Jalen Brunson’s earliest known autograph from middle school yearbook being sold by his classmate
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It’s another page of his basketball history.
Jalen Brunson’s middle school yearbook featuring his earliest known autograph is being auctioned this weekend — and is expected to fetch over $2,000.
The Knicks star signed the 2011 yearbook as a 14-year-old student at Twin Groves Middle School in Buffalo Grove, Ill., where he was the captain of the basketball team, with “Jalen Brunson #13 (1 out of 1).”
“It was basically an inside joke about it being one of a kind. I asked him to write that when he signed it because I joked that he was going to be a star someday,” said the yearbook’s owner, who played on the middle school basketball team with Brunson.
“We definitely knew he had a future in basketball. He stood out even at that age.”
The owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, told The Post that he decided to part with it after witnessing history — as his former classmate helped bring the Knicks to their first NBA Finals victory 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 said.
He lost touch with Brunson, who went on to play basketball at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Ill., and at Villanova University, where he won two NCAA national championships — and doesn’t know whether the MVP is aware that his yearbook is up for sale.
“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,” Heritage Auctions production manager Mike Provenzale told The Post.
“That would be pretty funny,” said the seller.
“I’m sure he’d remember signing it that way.”
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The yearbook’s sale, which is being held online through Heritage Auctions’ Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction, ends on Sunday.
The memento was among roughly $50 million worth of sports memorabilia on display at Heritage’s Park Avenue showroom, and was a favorite among visitors, Provenzale said.
“It’s 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.”