Jalen Brunson’s Beautiful Relationship With His Jewish Wife, Dr. Alison Marks, Wins Hearts
Jalen Brunson’s rise as the New York Knicks’ captain and one of the city’s most admired athletes has also drawn attention to the family behind him, especially his wife, Dr. Alison Marks Brunson, and their young daughter, Jordyn James Brunson. Brunson, who helped lead the Knicks to their first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years, has long been supported by Alison, whom he has known since high school.
The couple met as teenagers at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in the Chicago suburbs, where Jalen was 15 and Alison was 16. They began dating in high school and stayed together through college despite attending schools in different states. Alison remained in Illinois for her undergraduate studies, while Brunson played basketball at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Their relationship continued over the years and eventually led to a proposal in their old high school gym, where Brunson asked Alison to marry him under a floral arch.
Their wedding took place in July 2023 at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago and reflected their Jewish traditions. The ceremony included signing a ketubah, the traditional Jewish marriage contract, and taking part in the hora at the reception. Alison was escorted by her mother, and the celebration brought together both families in a deeply meaningful way.
Alison has also been open about her connection to her late father, James Marks, who died in 2010 at age 49 from pancreatic cancer. His death had a lasting impact on her, and she has since supported pancreatic cancer awareness and fundraising, including through races for Project Purple, an organization that supports research and families affected by the disease. She has shared personal tributes to her father, including a visit to his grave with her daughter.
The couple welcomed their daughter, Jordyn James Brunson, on July 31, 2024, just days after their third wedding anniversary. Her middle name honors Alison’s father, following Ashkenazi Jewish naming tradition. The family has become increasingly visible to Knicks fans, with Jordyn often seen at Madison Square Garden and occasionally stealing the spotlight during postgame moments. A recent viral clip showed the toddler interrupting her father during a press conference by shouting “dada!”
Beyond her role as Brunson’s partner and mother, Alison has built a professional life of her own. She earned her doctor of physical therapy degree from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in 2021 and now runs a boutique physiotherapy business in Westchester, New York. Their story combines sports success, lasting love, family tradition and personal achievement, making them one of the most admired couples connected to New York basketball.
