Generation Jalen: How one name dominates the NBA like few before - ESPN

The NBA All-Star Game had a new format this year: 16 Americans, eight international players and four players with the same name.

Those players alone made up one-third of the Eastern Conference's representation. Jaylen Brown was an All-Star for the fifth time, Jalen Brunson made his third consecutive All-Star trip and Jalen Johnson and Jalen Duren received their first All-Star nods. The four players tied for the most same-name All-Stars in a single season in NBA history.

Moreover, additional Jalens (and Jaylens, Jaylins and Jaylons) beyond that All-Star quartet are excelling in the NBA. Consider:

Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder: An All-NBA and All-Defensive honoree who scored 40 points in a Finals game last season

Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic: A recent All-Defensive team member who has some of the best advanced stats in the league

Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland Cavaliers: Breaking out in his second season as a Cavalier, Tyson is averaging 14 points on 48% 3-point shooting

Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies: Last season's third-place Rookie of the Year finisher

Jalen Smith, Chicago Bulls: A player who appeared to be a bust but quietly developing into a strong two-way big

Jaylin Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder: A do-everything backup big in Oklahoma City who helped defend Nikola Jokic in the playoffs last season

There's also Phoenix Suns' Jalen Green (who has barely played this season due to injury, but averaged 20.9 points over the past three seasons), Minnesota Timberwolves' Jaylen Clark, Denver Nuggets' Jalen Pickett and Brooklyn Nets' Jalen Wilson.

That's 14 players, with a balanced mix of stars and role players; guards, wings and bigs; and scorers, shooters, rebounders and defenders. In other words, a team made up of Jalens