Jalen Brunson. Image via: Eric Gay/ AP PhotoJalen Brunson is unstoppable. The New York Knicks star has just added another major accolade to a career-defining summer. He secured the Sportsman of the Year award at the 2026 BET Awards. The Knicks captain earned the honor weeks after leading the franchise to its first NBA championship in 53 years and claiming NBA Finals MVP, finishing ahead of a field that included LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Anthony Edwards.Brunson's championship run transformed the Knicks into title winners for the first time since 1973, and his growing influence continues to extend well beyond the court during an eventful offseason.Jalen Brunson wins Sportsman of the Year at the 2026 BET AwardsJalen Brunson. (Image via NBA)Jalen Brunson's victory at the BET Awards came against one of the strongest Sportsman of the Year fields in recent memory.The nominees included Aaron Judge, Anthony Edwards, Caleb Williams, Jalen Hurts, LeBron James, Shedeur Sanders, and Stephen Curry. Brunson ultimately emerged as the winner after completing one of the most memorable individual seasons in Knicks history.His case was built on much more than regular-season excellence.Brunson led New York to the NBA championship by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in five games, producing perhaps the defining performance of his career in the title clincher. He erupted for 45 points in Game 5, including 13 consecutive points in the fourth quarter, helping erase another double-digit deficit as the Knicks completed a 94-90 comeback victory.The championship ended a 53-year title drought for one of the NBA's flagship franchises.His championship season already featured an NBA Finals MVP trophy, a title parade through Manhattan and countless celebrations with Knicks fans who had waited more than five decades to witness another championship.Brunson stood at the center of every major moment. During New York's championship parade, thousands lined the streets to celebrate the point guard who changed the direction of the franchise after arriving four years earlier.Jalen Brunson's statsNew York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson. (Image Source: Getty Images)Brunson continued to perform at an elite level throughout the 2025-26 regular season.Category2025-26 SeasonGames Played74Minutes35Points26Rebounds3.3Assists6.8Field Goal %46.70%Three-Point %36.90%Free Throw %84.10%Steals0.8Blocks0.1What is Jalen Brunson doing this offseason?Even after delivering New York's long-awaited championship, Brunson has remained active away from basketball.The Knicks star recently surprised actress Mariska Hargitay by attending her Broadway performance in Every Brilliant Thing at New York City's Hudson Theatre. Brunson watched from the audience before meeting Hargitay backstage alongside his wife, Ali Marks, while Hargitay was joined by her husband, Peter Hermann. According to People, the couples later shared dinner following the performance.Brunson has previously said that appearing on an episode of Law & Order: SVU would be a dream offseason opportunity. After a championship, a Finals MVP, a citywide parade and now a BET Sportsman of the Year award, that cameo may become one of the few remaining boxes left for New York's newest sports icon to check.