New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado joins Puerto Rico men’s national team, sources say @TheAthletic @Stadium. Alvarado has become a key player in the Pelicans rotation and will now face Team USA in the Basketball World Cup playoffs this summer.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 14, 2022
Carlos Arroyo, a former Puerto Rican icon and now the national team’s general manager, met with Alvarado in the city of New Orleans to secure Alvarado’s commitment.
| I’m super excited to be part of the Puerto Rico national team. A big thank you to Carlos Arroyo and the entire Basketball Federation team for this great opportunity to represent my people, Boricua, baby! Let’s have fun,” Alvarado said in a statement to the Puerto Rican Federation (FBPUR). Alvarado, 24, was born in Brooklyn, New York, but is of Puerto Rican descent.
The freshman NBA point guard started the season with the Pelicans on a two-way deal, but thanks to his strong performance, he earned a spot in the rotation and landed a four-year contract extension. He posted averages of 15.4 minutes, 6.1 points and 2.8 assists in 54 regular season games.
El enebeísta de los Pelicans de Nueva Orleans y de ancestry puertorriqueña, José Alvarado, will unite al Programa Nacional Adulto.
Details ⤵️https://t.co/gurZuXatUq
— FBPUR 🏀🇵🇷 (@fbpur) April 14, 2022
“It is a pleasure to welcome José Alvarado to the national team. We are all very proud of what he has been able to accomplish during his short NBA career. His interest is real and he has a great desire to represent his culture. José is a born leader. I’m sure his energy and competitiveness will have a positive impact on our team,” Arroyo told FBPUR.
During his short time in the NBA, Alvarado, a Georgia Tech graduate, earned a reputation as a fierce defender (1.3 steals per game). He capitalized on coach Willie Green’s faith in him in the playoff against the Phoenix Suns averaging 5.5 points in 16.0 minutes in the first two games.
In the next window of the Americas Qualifiers, Puerto Rico will host the United States and Mexico at home in Group D, in what will be two crucial matches to define qualification for the next phase. The Puerto Ricans are 2-2, behind their two serving rivals who are tied at 3-1.
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