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When New York Knicks superstar guard Jalen Brunson took the Intuit Dome court as an All-Star earlier this month, he did so wearing the jersey of Team Stripes – one of two teams representing those from the United States (the other being Team Stars), while the third All-Star team was dubbed Team World.
But while Brunson certainly enjoys being an All-Star while representing his country of sorts, he still has his eyes set on the real thing – Team USA basketball at the Olympics.
There are other boxes to check on Brunson’s career goal board – winning an NBA title with the Knicks is the top priority in the coming months. But one goal that hasn’t been erased, and never will be, is representing the United States on the Olympic stage.
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Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks and Team USA Stripes gestures during the 75th NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images)
With the Summer Games returning to Los Angeles in 2028, Pakinomist Digital asked Brunson if playing in the Olympics remains at the top of his goal list.
“Absolutely,” Brunson said, while also discussing his partnership with BODYARMOR and its “Choose Better” campaign before March Madness next month. “I think there’s nothing else to say. That’s definitely one of my goals.”
Brunson was considered a major snub in 2024 when he was left off Team USA’s roster for the Paris Olympics, where they won gold. One of the main roster debates was whether other guards, including the Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, should have made the team over Brunson.
In the end, Brunson said he thought he did enough to deserve the spot after how well he played that season.
“I thought I could have fit in,” he shared GQ Sports in 2024. “I’ve played a lot of roles throughout my career; I could play another one. But obviously it just wasn’t in the cards at the time. Then you move on and you find ways to get better.”
Brunson continues to be one of the best point guards in the league, especially in crunch time when a basket is needed for his Knicks. If Brunson continues to be the leader in “The Mecca,” there’s no doubt he’ll be invited out west to Las Vegas to once again try out for Team USA among the nation’s best.
Jalen Brunson of the 2023 USA Basketball Men’s National Team shoots during a practice session during the team’s training camp at the Mendenhall Center at UNLV as the team prepares for the FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup on August 6, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Brunson’s drive to make the team is not just for his own individual career accomplishments, but rather something more. It is a love of country and wearing the Stars and Stripes for real with one’s countrymen. He has done so in other tournaments, including the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but never on the Olympic stage.
“I think it will be a great opportunity if presented,” he continued. “It would be an honor to represent the country. Very few people have the ability to do that. Obviously, whether it’s playing a sport for your country, or representing your country through the military, not many can do that.
“I would be honored and grateful.”
Brunson was named to his third straight All-Star team this year as the two-time All-NBA guard is averaging 27.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game for the Knicks this season. He hopes to lead the Knicks to the playoffs with the goal of making it past the Eastern Conference Finals this time after losing to the Pacers in six games at that point last season.
CHOOSING BETTER WITH BODY
As Brunson looks to the NBA Playoffs, he’s also excited for another intense stage in basketball: NCAA March Madness.
BODYARMOR announced its return to collegiate sports Tuesday after seven years through a new multi-year partnership as the official sports drink of the NCAA. As such, the pre-March Madness announcement carries the tagline “Choose Better,” something Brunson, a two-time NCAA champion with Villanova, knows goes a long way this time of year — whether pro or college.
Jalen Brunson of the 2023 USA Basketball Men’s National Team watches his shot during a practice session during the team’s training camp at the Mendenhall Center at UNLV as the team prepares for the FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup on August 6, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“Most importantly, it starts with hydration,” he said when asked how he chooses better on a daily basis. “I think no matter what, when you’re hydrated, your muscles [and] your body is fine. Obviously, you also need nutrition. This is how you replenish throughout the game, through hydration. So that’s how I choose better.”
BODYARMOR will hold the exclusive sports drink rights for NCAA March Madness, making it the only hydration drink on the tournament’s sidelines, which will include towels, sports bottles and coolers.
The national “Choose Better” ad, which continues the brand’s campaign that began in April 2025, will also feature LSU star Flau’Jae Johnson, the brand’s newest partner.
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