Now That Jose Alvarado's On The Knicks, Let's Remember Him As A Queens High School Star | Defector

"I watched Jose Alvarado as a high school star in Queens nearly a decade ago. His team at Christ the King Regional High School took on Bishop Loughlin, another local powerhouse, in the Brooklyn-Queens Catholic High School Athletic Association semifinal back in February 2017. I paid $5 to get into a very loud gym, and distinctly recall thinking to myself that it was the best basketball game I'd ever attended in New York City, at any level."

"Aptly for the city, it was a battle between two slight, speedy, hard-nosed point guards: the 5-foot-11 Alvarado and the 5-foot-7 Markquis Nowell. But Alvarado fouled out at the end of regulation, and Loughlin pulled away in double overtime, 98-90. I knew then that Alvarado was headed for Georgia Tech; I had no idea he'd eventually carve out a role in the NBA as a point-of-attack dog. Watching him break out for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2021-22 season was a delight."

"I often thought back to that raucous gym in Queens as Alvarado thrived in his pro career,needling opposing ball-handlers, talking prolific shit, answering real-time questions about his shooting ability, and even establishing his own signature steal-creeping around in the backcourt to ambush the inbounds pass. That whole Pelicans season was a rush. Head coach Willie Green came aboard and led a Zion Williamson-less squad through the play-in and into the postseason, where Alvarado got to torment Chris Paul on the national stage."

Jose Alvarado emerged as a high-school star in Queens, starring for Christ the King in a memorable February 2017 semifinal against Bishop Loughlin. The matchup showcased two quick, tough point guards and ended with Loughlin winning in double overtime. Alvarado went to Georgia Tech and later broke out with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2021-22, becoming a disruptive point-of-attack defender known for taunting opponents and a signature inbounds-steal approach. He turned a two-way deal into $6.5 million guaranteed. With New Orleans aimless this season, Alvarado was traded back to New York for Dalen Terry, two second-round picks, and cash.

Read at Defector