Here's Jalen Brunson Prepping For Wemby By Shooting Over A 7-Foot Assistant Coach

If there’s anyone who understands the importance of talent meeting preparation, it’s Jalen Brunson. Prior to the Finals of the Emirates NBA Cup, Brunson was intent on practicing his shots over the outstretched arms of Victor Wembanyama.

There’s no way, of course, that Wemby would help out Brunson in this context. So, the New York Knicks star enlisted the help of another seven-footer.

A viral clip shows Brunson launching shots over the defense of Knicks assistant coach Carson Shanks, whose extremely long frame might have been the best contingency for a Wembanyama simulation.

Shanks knows all about swatting shots away, as he was a rim protector for North Dakota and Loyola in the late 2010s. After briefly playing as a pro in Europe, Shanks transitioned to the coaching side of things, taking on roles such as video coordinator and player development coach.

In August 2023, Shanks joined the Knicks staff as an assistant video coordinator. By then, Brunson had already become New York’s main man; though Shanks isn’t setting hard screens or catching lob passes from the All-Star guard, he has certainly extended his assistance to Brunson in more ways than one.

Heading into Tuesday’s matchup, Brunson was clearly anticipating Wembanyama switching out onto him on the perimeter, hence the need to practice making shots over a long-limbed defender. Notably, the French phenom played around 25 minutes in the NBA Cup final, likely a precaution as he continues to shake off the impact of a calf injury.

Despite Wembanyama’s 18 points and six rebounds, Brunson and the Knicks ended up securing the title of the third NBA Cup champions after defeating the Spurs 124–113. The Knicks’ court general finished with 25 points, four rebounds, and eight assists, en route to claiming NBA Cup MVP honors.

The Knicks’ conquest of the 2025 NBA Cup has no bearing on regular-season standings, but it is certainly a warning shot to the rest of the league. Last season, New York made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, and they are looking to go on an even deeper playoff run this time around.

Brunson will lead the charge front and center, and while he’s an eloquent individual who does podcasts effortlessly, his work on the court does all the talking. If practice sessions call for a seven-footer to put a hand in his face, Brunson has shown that he has no problems having it that way.