Magic Coach Jamahl Mosley Praises 'Special Talent' Jalen Brunson

"He wants to be the first in the gym, and he wants to be the last out," Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said via HoopsHype. "He has a special ability and passion for playing and competing that I think people don’t appreciate because he comes off like a true professional, but there’s a killer walking in there."

Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley appears to believe that New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson is capable of dabbling in the dark arts.

Mosley, after all, would have sufficient knowledge of Brunson's skillset and then some, having helped supervise the Villanova alum's first three NBA seasons as an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks.

Both have since moved from North Texas: Mosley is set to enter his third season at the helm of the Magic while Brunson is on year two of a four-campaign contract with the Knicks. Working with the United States' men's national basketball team during preparation for the FIBA Basketball World Cup afforded Brunson a reunion with one of his first NBA mentors, one who is proud of the way he has developed since entering the Association as a second-round pick in 2018.

"He wants to be the first in the gym, and he wants to be the last out," Mosley said via HoopsHype. "He has a special ability and passion for playing and competing that I think people don’t appreciate because he comes off like a true professional, but there’s a killer walking in there."

Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris defending Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson :: Mike Watters/USA Today Sports

Brunson was widely viewed as a leader on a young World Cup contingent. While the Americans placed a disappointing fourth in the competition, Brunson averaged 11 points and four assists over eight games.

Mosley perhaps viewed Brunson's first steps on NBA hardwood even before Dallas came calling with the 34th overall pick in 2018. Before each of them made it to Dallas, Mosley worked with Brunson when he was introducing himself to the national basketball scene at Stevenson High School. At the time, Brunson's father and current Knicks assistant coach Rick held the same role with the nearby Chicago Bulls and Mosley was on Byron Scott's staff in Cleveland.

"You could see there’s something in him that’s more competitive than people realize," Mosley said. "There’s a professionalism he’s had for so long in the way he pushes his teammates, pushes himself, and the way that he works."

Brunson's Knicks and Mosley's Magic meet four times this season, the first meeting scheduled for Dec. 29 in Orlando.