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Jose Alvarado (basketball)

American basketball player (born 1998)

Jose Alvarado (basketball)

Jose Alvarado is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) since 2026. He is nicknamed "Grand Theft Alvarado" for his exceptional ability to generate steals, as well as his defensive prowess. Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 2017 to 2021. Since 2022, he has also represented Puerto Rico in international competitions, including the 2024 Summer Olympics. When the Knicks beat the Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals, he became the third Puerto Rican to win a championship, after Butch Lee with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980, and J. J. Barea with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. He is currently the only native New Yorker on the Knicks' roster.

Jose Alvarado (basketball)

Jose Alvarado
Alvarado with Georgia Tech in 2019
No. 5 – New York Knicks
PositionPoint guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1998-04-12) April 12, 1998 (age 28)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight179 lb (81 kg)
Career information
High schoolChrist the King
(Middle Village, New York)
CollegeGeorgia Tech (2017–2021)
NBA draft2021: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021–2026New Orleans Pelicans
2021→Birmingham Squadron
2026–presentNew York Knicks
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Jose Alvarado (born April 12, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) since 2026. He is nicknamed "Grand Theft Alvarado" for his exceptional ability to generate steals, as well as his defensive prowess.[1] Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 2017 to 2021. Since 2022, he has also represented Puerto Rico in international competitions, including the 2024 Summer Olympics. When the Knicks beat the Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals, he became the third Puerto Rican to win a championship, after Butch Lee with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980, and J. J. Barea with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.[2] He is currently the only native New Yorker on the Knicks' roster.[3]

Early life

Alvarado was born in Brooklyn. His father, Jose Alvarado Sr., is an electrician of Puerto Rican descent and his mother, Odilia Martinez, is of Mexican descent and was a stay-at-home mom.[4] He lived in Lindsay Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn[4] and the Pomonok Houses public housing project in Pomonok, Queens. Alvarado played football in his childhood but quit after injuring his neck.[5] He attended PS 200 in Queens for elementary school and played Catholic Youth Organization basketball at St Ann's in Flushing, Queens. He has stated that this experience, provided by his parents, is where his passion for the game developed.[6]

He later played basketball for Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village, Queens, in New York City. As a junior, Alvarado averaged 17 points and 6.5 assists per game and was named Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Player of the Year.[7] As a senior, he recorded 18 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals, the first quadruple-double in school history, in a December 22, 2016, win over Xaverian High School.[8] In his senior season, Alvarado averaged 17.9 points per game and led Christ the King to the CHSAA intersectional quarterfinals. He was named TimesLedger Player of the Year.[9]

Alvarado was considered a four-star recruit by ESPN and a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com in the 2017 class.[10][11]

In September 2016, he committed to play college basketball for Georgia Tech over offers from Rutgers and Seton Hall, among others.[12] Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner had first seen Alvarado at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.[13]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Jose Alvarado
PG		 Brooklyn, NY Christ the King (NY) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Sep 15, 2016 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 5/5 stars   Rivals: 5/5 stars   247Sports: 5/5 stars   ESPN: 5/5 stars   (100)
Overall recruit ranking:    Rivals: 130    247Sports: 179    ESPN: —
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

College career

As a freshman, Alvarado started in all 25 of his games and averaged 12.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He became the fourth Georgia Tech freshman to average at least 12 points, 3.5 rebounds, and two assists per game.[14] He suffered a season-ending left elbow fracture against Duke on February 11, 2018.[15] Alvarado had an increased role in his sophomore season with the early departure of Josh Okogie.[16] On February 20, 2019, Alvarado scored a career-high 29 points to go with 6 rebounds and 5 assists in a 73–65 win over Pittsburgh.[17] As a sophomore, Alvarado averaged 12.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, leading his team in scoring, assists and steals.[18] Georgia Tech was banned from the postseason by the NCAA during his junior season due to several infractions.[5] He missed seven games early in his junior season due to an ankle injury.[19] On January 25, 2020, Alvarado scored a season-high 26 points and recorded 8 rebounds and a school-record nine steals in a 64–58 victory over NC State.[20] In his junior season, he averaged 14.4 points, four assists, 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game and was named to the Third Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).[18] In his senior year, Alvarado and Moses Wright led Georgia Tech to its first ACC title since 1993, by defeating Scottie Barnes and Florida State in the championship game of the ACC tournament.[21] At the end of the season, he was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.[22][23]

Alvarado graduated from Georgia Tech in 2021 with a degree in literature, media and communications.[24]

Professional career

New Orleans Pelicans / Birmingham Squadron (2021–2026)

Alvarado passed on gaining an additional year in college due to COVID-19 game cancellations and declared himself eligible for the 2021 NBA draft. After being undrafted, on August 19, 2021, he signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. Under the terms of the deal, he split time with the Pelicans and their NBA G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron.[25] During a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 25, 2022, Alvarado was issued a technical foul after an in-game verbal altercation with Philadelphia center Joel Embiid. Embiid praised Alvarado and paid the associated $2,000 league fine.[26] On March 28, Alvarado's two-way deal was converted into a standard four-year, $6.5 million contract.[27][28] This signing made him eligible for post-season play.[28]

In 2022, Alvarado gained social media traction for highlight clips of him creating steals by sneaking up behind the opposing team's ball handler, which also led to his nickname "Grand Theft Alvarado".[29][30]

On December 4, 2022, Alvarado scored a career-high 38 points in a 121–106 win over the Denver Nuggets.[31] On February 17, 2023, he won the Rising Stars Challenge MVP award after hitting the game-winning shot.[32] On February 28, Alvarado suffered a stress reaction in his right tibia.[33] On March 22, the Pelicans announced that Alvarado would be sidelined for at least another two-to-three weeks, ending his season.[34]

Alvarado made 56 appearances off of the bench for New Orleans during the 2023–24 NBA season, posting averages of 7.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals.[35] On September 28, 2024, Alvarado signed a two-year, $9 million contract extension with New Orleans.[36] He played in 56 games (including 23 starts) for the Pelicans during the 2024–25 season, averaging career-highs in points (10.3), rebounds (2.4), assists (4.6), and steals (1.3).[37]

Alvarado played in 41 games for the Pelicans during the 2025–26 season, averaging 7.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.[38]

New York Knicks (2026–present)

On February 5, 2026, Alvarado was traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for Dalen Terry and two future second round draft picks.[39][40] As a native New Yorker returning home, Alvarado immediately endeared himself to Knicks fans through his energy, hustle, and active defense.[41] Within a week, at a February 11 away game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Alvarado became the first player in Knicks franchise history to record 25+ points, 5+ steals, and 5+ three-pointers in a game off the bench. Alvarado scored 26 points and made 8 of his 13 three-point attempts, leading to a 138-89 victory for the Knicks over the 76ers.[41] After playing sparingly in the 2026 NBA Finals, Alvarado suited up for Game 4 of the Finals. In the game, Alvarado played a key role off the bench. He played most of the 4th quarter and hit multiple three-point shots, thus, helping the Knicks come back from down 29 points, the largest comeback win in NBA Finals history. In the game, Alvarado tallied 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 16 minutes of play time.[42] In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Alvarado helped the Knicks achieve a 94–90 win and close out the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, 4–1, securing the Knicks' first NBA championship in 53 years.[43][44]

National team career

Although a native of Brooklyn, Alvarado represents Puerto Rico at the international level due to his Puerto Rican ancestry.[45] Alvarado was recruited in 2022 by Carlos Arroyo, retired team captain and current general manager.[46] He was part of the team that helped Puerto Rico qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics after defeating both Mexico in the semifinals and Lithuania in the final of one of four 2024 FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.[47] He was named MVP of the tournament after he averaged 16.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals, and had a 29-point performance against Italy and 23 points against Lithuania.[48]

Alvarado plays mainly as a shooting guard for the national team.

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021–22 New Orleans 54115.4.446.291.6791.92.81.3.16.1
2022–23 New Orleans 611021.5.411.336.8132.33.01.1.29.0
2023–24 New Orleans 56018.4.412.377.6732.32.11.1.37.1
2024–25 New Orleans 562324.4.392.359.8112.44.61.3.310.3
2025–26† New Orleans 41021.9.418.363.8332.83.1.9.17.9
New York 28316.9.414.330.6822.03.81.0.16.6
Career 2963720.0.412.349.7572.33.21.1.28.0

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2022 New Orleans 6019.5.485.375.7691.31.51.2.28.0
2024 New Orleans 4015.4.150.071—1.02.31.3.31.8
2026† New York 1809.4.433.353.8331.41.2.6.24.2
Career 28012.5.400.297.7891.31.4.8.14.6

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Georgia Tech 252535.0.448.370.8023.73.11.7.112.1
2018–19 Georgia Tech 313034.2.392.286.7433.93.41.8.112.5
2019–20 Georgia Tech 242333.5.444.336.7933.44.02.2.114.4
2020–21 Georgia Tech 262637.1.504.390.8383.54.12.8.015.2
Career 10610434.9.444.341.7903.63.62.1.113.5

Personal life

He and his girlfriend, Flor Castillo, have two daughters: Nazanin "Naz" and Brooklyn, and are expecting a son to be born in 2026.[49] He bought a house in Atlanta, where he attended college, becoming the first person in his family to own real estate.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Roberson, Josh (November 12, 2022). "From undrafted rookie to household name, 'Grand Theft Alvarado's cult following grows with Pels hype". FOX 8.
  2. ↑ Figueroa Loza, Jorge (June 14, 2026). "José Alvarado, nuevo campeón boricua en la NBA, lleva la bandera de Puerto Rico al festejo" [José Alvarado, the new Puerto Rican NBA champion, carries the Puerto Rican flag to the celebration]. El Nuevo Día (in Spanish).
  3. ↑ Max, Samantha (June 13, 2026). "Jose Alvarado is the only native New Yorker on the Knicks' roster. Fans react". NPR.
  4. 1 2 Settembre, Jeanette (June 9, 2026). "How the Knicks' Jose Alvarado 'fought' his way home to NYC — and why 'everything about him screams New York': former coach". New York Post.
  5. 1 2 Hummer, Steve (March 5, 2020). "The spirit of Tech basketball, Jose Alvarado attacks one complex life". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  6. ↑ Mancari, Jim (January 27, 2022). "Former CYO and CK Hoops Standout Now Plays in NBA". The Tablet.
  7. ↑ Barca, Christopher (February 25, 2016). "Christ the King's Jose Alvarado wins MVP". Queens Chronicle.
  8. ↑ McKeon, Cameron (February 22, 2020). "Georgia Tech's Jose Alvarado's all-around game makes him irreplaceable". The Daily Orange.
  9. ↑ Amato, Laura (April 24, 2017). "Royal reign: Alvarado tops in Queens". Schneps Media.
  10. ↑ "Jose Alvarado – Basketball Recruiting – Player Profiles". ESPN.
  11. ↑ "Jose Alvarado, 2017 Point guard". 247Sports.com.
  12. ↑ Sugiura, Ken (September 15, 2016). "Pastner lands point guard Jose Alvarado, first commit of 2017 class". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  13. ↑ Awtrey, Stan (January 25, 2018). "Tech's Alvarado works through freshman growing pains". The Telegraph.
  14. ↑ Callaghan-Croley, Dylan (March 23, 2018). "Alvarado's quiet but special freshman season". FanSided.
  15. ↑ "Georgia Tech's Jose Alvarado to miss remainder of season". USA Today. Associated Press. February 12, 2018.
  16. ↑ Geisinger, Brian (July 11, 2018). "Better Know a Player: Now healthy, Is Georgia Tech's Jose Alvarado ready for a bigger role?". Atlantic Coast Conference.
  17. ↑ "Jose Alvarado's career-high 29 leads Georgia Tech over Pitt". Gwinnett Daily Post. February 20, 2019.
  18. 1 2 "#10 Jose Alvarado, G". Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. June 18, 2018.
  19. ↑ Awtrey, Stan (January 15, 2020). "Since the return of this point guard, Georgia Tech has looked like a different basketball team". The Telegraph.
  20. ↑ Sugiura, Ken (January 26, 2020). "After review, Georgia Tech's Jose Alvarado awarded school steal record". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  21. ↑ Bradley, Mark (March 14, 2021). "A return to glory: Georgia Tech wins the ACC title". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  22. ↑ "ACC announces 2020-21 men's basketball awards; Hokies' Young named Coach of the Year". WTKR. March 8, 2021.
  23. ↑ "ACC Men's Basketball Awards Announced". Atlantic Coast Conference. March 8, 2021.
  24. ↑ "#10 Jose Alvarado". ramblinwreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletics.
  25. ↑ "Pelicans sign Jose Alvarado and Daulton Hommes to two-way contracts". National Basketball Association. August 19, 2021.
  26. ↑ Lopez, Andrew (January 27, 2022). "Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid pays New Orleans Pelicans rookie Jose Alvarado's fine after spat". ESPN.
  27. ↑ "Pelicans sign Jose Alvarado to multi-year contract". National Basketball Association. March 28, 2022.
  28. 1 2 Lopez, Andrew (March 28, 2022). "Pelicans sign PG Alvarado to multiyear contract". ESPN.
  29. ↑ Kimble, Terry (September 15, 2022). "Jose Alvarado, The People's Champ: Pelicans Player Season Preview". Sports Illustrated.
  30. ↑ "Pelicans' Jose Alvarado is still sneaking up on the NBA: 'He just plays fierce'". CBS Sports. February 17, 2023 [November 14, 2022].
  31. ↑ Sabri, Alex (December 4, 2022). "Jose Alvarado sets insane mark not seen since 1970". ClutchPoints.
  32. ↑ "Pelicans' Jose Alvarado steals show, wins Rising Stars MVP". ESPN. February 18, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  33. ↑ Clark, Christian (February 28, 2023). "Pelicans say Jose Alvarado and Larry Nance Jr. will miss multiple weeks". The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  34. ↑ "New Orleans Pelicans announce medical updates". National Basketball Association. March 22, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Jose Alvarado 2023–24 Stats per Game". ESPN. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Sources: Pels extend Alvarado for 2 years, $9M". ESPN. September 28, 2024.
  37. ↑ "Jose Alvarado 2024–25 Stats per Game". ESPN.
  38. ↑ "Jose Alvarado 2025–26 Stats per Game". ESPN.
  39. ↑ "NEW YORK KNICKS ACQUIRE JOSE ALVARADO". National Basketball Association. February 5, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Sources: Knicks acquiring PG Jose Alvarado from Pelicans". ESPN. February 5, 2026.
  41. 1 2 Stein, Sam (March 3, 2026). "Jose Alvarado has been everything the Knicks were looking for (and more)". SB Nation.
  42. ↑ Zillgitt, Jeff (June 10, 2026). "Jose Alvarado provides unlikely boost in crunch time for the Knicks". National Basketball Association.
  43. ↑ Siegel, Brett (June 13, 2026). "Knicks win first championship in 53 years after NBA Finals Game 5 triumph vs. Spurs". ClutchPoints. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  44. ↑ Lambert, Ben (June 13, 2026). "Recap: The Knicks win the 2026 NBA championship". NBA.com. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  45. ↑ Kimble, Terry (April 15, 2022). "Jose Alvarado to Play for Puerto Rico's National Basketball Team". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  46. ↑ "José Alvarado se prueba como boricua al declarar que quiere derrotar al Team USA". Primera Hora (in Spanish). June 22, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  47. ↑ "Puerto Rico ends 20-year Olympic drought with historic win over Lithuania". fiba.basketball. July 7, 2024.
  48. ↑ "Alvarado earns TISSOT MVP honors at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in San Juan". fiba.basketball. July 7, 2024.
  49. ↑ Weiss, Jacqueline (June 3, 2026). "Meet the Kids of the New York Knicks (Including Josh Hart's Twin Sons!)". People.