Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Reasons to draft Jalen Brunson

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Collin Gillespie #2 and Jalen Brunson #1 of the Villanova Wildcats watch "One Shining Moment" while celebrating after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Collin Gillespie #2 and Jalen Brunson #1 of the Villanova Wildcats watch "One Shining Moment" while celebrating after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 options for No. 25 pick in 2018 NBA Draft
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 2: Jalen Brunson #1 of the Villanova Wildcats soaks in the moment after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

– Two-time champion

As a three-year starter at one of the best colleges in the country, Brunson has been in plenty of big games throughout his three-year college career. In his freshman season, Brunson started in 39 out of 40 games and ran the point nicely. Even though he his stats didn’t jump off the page, being a starting freshman on a National Champion is impressive.

In his junior season, Brunson was once again able to be a National Champion. With the nature of the one-and-done in college basketball now, seeing a two-time champion is very rare. Having that player as a starter both times is even more rare. You have to go back to the Billy Donovan led Florida Gator teams as a team that compares to what Villanova has done recently.

Last season, Brunson was able to lead his team to their second title in three years, and he had a great season in doing so. The Lakers have stressed that they like to scout players with more than just one year of college experience, and also players that have been on good teams in college. As the starting point guard for a two-time National Champion, Brunson certainly fits that criteria. With the Lakers trying to establish their winning culture, Brunson is arguably the best fit for them.

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