Jose Alvarado

Jose Alvarado was born on April 12, 1998, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York. In his early life, he played football but transitioned to basketball after an injury. He attended Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village, Queens, where he became a standout player. As a junior, he averaged 17 points and 6.5 assists per game, earning the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Player of the Year award in 2016. During his senior year in 2016, Alvarado made school history by achieving the first quadruple-double, recording 18 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals in a single game. He concluded his high school career averaging 17.9 points per game and was recognized as the TimesLedger Player of the Year.

Alvarado committed to play college basketball for Georgia Tech in 2016. As a freshman in the 2017-2018 season, he started all 25 games he played, averaging 12.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game before a season-ending elbow injury. He continued to develop, leading his team in scoring, assists, and steals as a sophomore with averages of 12.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. In his junior year (2019-2020), despite missing seven games due to an ankle injury, he averaged 14.4 points, four assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game, earning a spot on the Third Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). His senior season (2020-2021) was particularly significant as he led Georgia Tech to its first ACC title since 1993 and was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, also earning Second-team All-ACC honors. He finished his collegiate career with 71 double-figure scoring games and ranked among Georgia Tech’s all-time leaders in steals and assists.

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Alvarado signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, splitting time with their NBA G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron. His strong defensive play, particularly his ability to steal the ball, earned him the nickname “Grand Theft Alvarado.” In March 2022, his two-way contract was converted into a standard 4-year, $6.5 million deal, making him eligible for post-season play. In the 2022-2023 season, he scored a career-high 38 points against the Denver Nuggets in December 2022, marking the most points off the bench by an undrafted player in NBA history at that time. He also won the Rising Stars Challenge MVP award in 2023. Alvarado represents Puerto Rico internationally, contributing to their qualification for the 2024 Summer Olympics and earning MVP honors at the San Juan Olympic Qualifying Tournament. In September 2024, he signed a 2-year, $9 million contract extension with the Pelicans.