During Game 3, Knicks point guard Jose Alvarado ran into former Mayor Mike Bloomberg while chasing a loose ball. Afterward, it was a relief—for those who know him—that the 83-year-old was okay. It brought back memories for those who watched Alvarado grow up; he was always a gritty kid with a big heart.
“He never gave up,” Dan Klores recalled, noting Alvarado’s determination as a teenager in the New York RENS Youth League. He shared a story of a championship game where Alvarado dived for a ball, colliding with another child, who was quite athletic.
“Suddenly, there was more blood on the floor than I’d ever seen. I’ve seen a lot, having grown up in Coney Island and served in the military, but this was something else. Blood was everywhere. The kid he collided with lost two front teeth,” Klores reflected.
Although Alvarado had to be taken off the court on a stretcher, he insisted on returning to play. Klores vividly remembered the moment: “He said, ‘Dan, I’m playing.’ I was like, ‘Are you serious?’ But his dad insisted he would play, and they eventually won the game.
Alvarado’s journey began in Williamsburg’s Lindsay Park Housing Corporation projects, where he was raised by an electrician and a homemaker.
“He’s definitely a tough New York kid,” Joe Albitello, who coached him in high school, mentioned. “It wasn’t the safest environment, with gangs and all, but he managed to steer clear of trouble.”
Under Albitello at Christ the King, Alvarado shone, earning the title of Catholic High School Athletic Association Player of the Year in 2016 by averaging 16 points per game.
Yet, despite his talent, schools like St. John’s, Duke, and the University of Miami overlooked him. He ended up playing for Georgia Tech, where he helped lead the team to their first ACC Championship during his senior year and earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors.
After five seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, he finally fulfilled his dream by joining the Knicks in February. It was a remarkable return for the now 28-year-old, who had always admired the team.
He and his partner, Flor Castillo, have two daughters, and Flor is currently expecting a boy.
Alvarado declared for the 2021 NBA Draft but went undrafted. Determined to succeed, he reached out to Klores for help getting a trainer.
Shortly after, he landed a spot with the Pelicans. “I couldn’t hold back my tears,” Klores remembered, touched by Alvarado’s persistence.
Alvarado made a name for himself with his defensive skills in New Orleans before his recent trade to the Knicks, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
“Everything about him is quintessentially New York. He’s just a great kid,” Albitello said, highlighting Alvarado’s commitment to give back to the community by returning to speak to students.
During a recent chat, Albitello noted that Alvarado remains humble, saying, “I don’t think he realizes just how significant he is.” The nickname “Grand Theft Alvarado,” reflecting his defensive play, suits him—despite a tough loss to the Spurs recently, he showed he’s still got it.
Albitello felt confident about Alvarado’s drive. “He’s someone who has always prioritized winning,” he stated.
