Jose Alvarado Bio
Jose Alvarado is an American-Puerto Rican professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 12, 1998, he played college basketball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 2017 to 2021. Alvarado earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 and helped Georgia Tech win its first ACC tournament title since 1993. Since 2022, he has represented Puerto Rico internationally. He is nicknamed “Grand Theft Alvarado” for his exceptional ability to generate steals.
Early Life and Background
Alvarado was born in Brooklyn to Jose Alvarado Sr., an electrician of Puerto Rican descent, and Odilia Martinez, of Mexican descent. He grew up in the Lindsay Park section of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and the Pomonok Houses public housing project in Queens. He played football as a child but quit after injuring his neck. He attended PS 200 in Queens for elementary school and played Catholic Youth Organization basketball at St. Ann’s in Flushing, Queens. He has credited this experience, provided by his parents, with sparking his passion for basketball.
Alvarado attended Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village, Queens. As a junior, he averaged 17 points and 6.5 assists per game and was named Catholic High School Athletic Association Player of the Year. As a senior, he recorded 18 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals in a December 22, 2016, win over Xaverian High School. That performance marked the first quadruple-double in school history. Alvarado averaged 17.9 points per game during his senior season and led Christ the King to the CHSAA intersectional quarterfinals. He was named TimesLedger Player of the Year.
Alvarado was considered a four-star recruit by ESPN and a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com in the 2017 class. In September 2016, he committed to play college basketball for Georgia Tech over offers from Rutgers and Seton Hall, among others. Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner first saw Alvarado at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.
Path to Basketball
Alvarado played for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 2017 to 2021. As a freshman, he 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. He suffered a season-ending left elbow fracture against Duke on February 11, 2018.
Alvarado had an increased role in his sophomore season following the early departure of Josh Okogie to the NBA. On February 20, 2019, he scored a career-high 29 points to go with 6 rebounds and 5 assists in a 73-65 win over Pittsburgh. As a sophomore, he averaged 12.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, leading his team in scoring, assists, and steals.
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 during his junior season. He missed seven games early in his junior year due to an ankle injury. Alvarado averaged 14.4 points, four assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game that season and was named Third Team All-ACC.
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. At the end of the season, he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and Second-team All-ACC. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 2021 with a degree in literature, media, and communications.
Jose Alvarado Career
Early Career (2021-2022)
Alvarado passed on an additional college season due to COVID-19 game cancellations and declared himself eligible for the 2021 NBA draft. After going undrafted, he signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans on August 19, 2021. Under the terms of the deal, he split time between the Pelicans and their NBA G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron. On January 25, 2022, Alvarado was assessed a technical foul after an in-game verbal altercation with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. Embiid praised Alvarado and paid the associated $2,000 league fine.
On March 28, 2022, Alvarado’s two-way deal was converted into a standard four-year, $6.5 million contract. This signing made him eligible for postseason play. The converted contract marked a significant milestone in his transition from undrafted free agent to established NBA player.
Pelicans Breakthrough (2022-2024)
Alvarado gained significant social media attention in 2022 for highlight clips of him creating steals by approaching the opposing team’s ball handler from behind. These clips contributed to his “Grand Theft Alvarado” nickname. On December 4, 2022, he scored a career-high 38 points in a 121-106 win over the Denver Nuggets. On February 17, 2023, he won the Rising Stars Challenge MVP award after hitting the game-winning shot.
On February 28, 2023, Alvarado suffered a stress reaction in his right tibia. On March 22, the Pelicans announced he would be sidelined for at least another two-to-three weeks, ending his season. Despite the injury setback, his Rising Stars MVP performance and increased scoring role demonstrated his growth as an NBA player.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2024-Present)
Alvarado made 56 appearances off 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 per game. On September 28, 2024, he signed a two-year, $9 million contract extension with the Pelicans. This new deal provided long-term security and reflected the organization’s confidence in his contributions.
He played in 56 games, including 23 starts, for the Pelicans during the 2024-25 season, averaging career highs of 10.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. The increased role and production demonstrated his continued development as a rotation player in the NBA.
Playing Style and Strengths
Alvarado plays point guard for the New Orleans Pelicans. He is known for his quick hands and defensive instincts, which have made him a turnover-creating threat throughout his career. His ability to read passing lanes and anticipate plays generates fast-break opportunities for his team. He has developed into a capable spot-up shooter and has improved his playmaking ability, making him a versatile secondary ball-handler. His energy and intensity on both ends of the floor define his game and make him a valuable contributor off the bench.
Notable Events and Milestones
Alvarado’s career highlights include scoring a career-high 38 points against the Denver Nuggets on December 4, 2022. He won the Rising Stars Challenge MVP award on February 17, 2023, after hitting the game-winning shot. His ACC Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021 capped his development at Georgia Tech, where he also helped the Yellow Jackets capture their first conference tournament title since 1993.
Jose Alvarado Career Wins
Alvarado has accumulated career wins across the NBA and G League, demonstrating consistent contributions at both levels. His ability to impact games on both ends of the floor has translated into victories throughout his professional career.
New Orleans Pelicans Highlights
With the New Orleans Pelicans, Alvarado has appeared in multiple seasons, contributing to wins through his scoring, playmaking, and defensive efforts. His 38-point performance against Denver on December 4, 2022, stands as a career highlight. His Rising Stars Challenge MVP in February 2023 showcased his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Across the 2024-25 season, he appeared in 56 games and provided consistent contributions off the bench.
Other Achievements
Alvarado won an ACC tournament championship with Georgia Tech in 2021, the Yellow Jackets’ first since 1993. He earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors that same season. His time with the Birmingham Squadron in the G League provided development opportunities that helped prepare him for his NBA career.
Jose Alvarado Family
Family Background
Alvarado’s father, Jose Alvarado Sr., is an electrician of Puerto Rican descent. His mother, Odilia Martinez, is of Mexican descent and was a stay-at-home mother. His parents’ support and the basketball opportunities they provided in New York helped shape his path to professional basketball. He grew up in Brooklyn and Queens, areas known for producing competitive basketball players.
Personal Life
Alvarado and his girlfriend, Flor Castillo, have two daughters: Nazanin and Brooklyn, born in 2020. They were expecting a son in 2026. Alvarado purchased a house in Atlanta, where he attended college, becoming the first person in his family to own real estate. He maintains connections to both New York, where he grew up, and Georgia, where he built his basketball career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NBA season marked a significant step forward in Alvarado’s career. He appeared in 56 games for the New Orleans Pelicans, including 23 starts, representing his most extensive role to date. He averaged career highs of 10.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. The improved scoring and playmaking numbers reflected his growth as a contributor within head coach Willie Green’s system.
Alvarado signed a two-year, $9 million extension with the Pelicans in September 2024, securing his future with the organization through 2025. This contract extension demonstrated the team’s belief in his development and value to the franchise. His consistent energy, defensive effort, and improved offensive skills made him a reliable rotation player.
His 4.6 assists per game represented significant growth as a playmaker, showing his ability to create opportunities for teammates. The combination of his defensive instincts and improved offensive contribution made him a valuable two-way player for the Pelicans. Looking ahead, Alvarado’s trajectory suggested continued growth as he entered the prime years of his career with a secure contract and established role on an NBA roster.