Jose Alvarado Sr. described an emotional locker room scene after his son, Knicks guard Jose Alvarado Jr., gifted him his entire uniform – jersey, shorts, sneakers, headband, and championship shirt – following the team's first NBA title in 53 years. Alvarado Sr., 49, recalled his son telling him, "Pa, hold this. It's wet, but put it on."
Alvarado Sr., a Brooklyn electrician, raised his son in the Roberto Clemente projects in Williamsburg. He shared that he "cried like a baby" watching his son win a championship in their hometown. He recounted his efforts to keep his son away from the troubles of their neighborhood by involving him in sports from a young age. This dedication included long commutes for Alvarado Jr. to play pee-wee football on Staten Island when no leagues were available in Brooklyn.
When Jose Jr. was 8, the family moved to Flushing, Queens, to provide him with greater access to sports opportunities. He excelled in basketball, playing at P.S./M.S. 200 and joining multiple streetball teams, which eventually led to an invitation to a Christ the King High School basketball camp. Alvarado Sr. recalled working overtime and sacrificing weekends to afford AAU programs and travel for his son's games, sometimes even wishing for losses so he wouldn't have to make difficult late-night drives after working.
Alvarado Jr.'s talent attracted college scouts, with Georgetown and Georgia Tech expressing interest. During his college career at Georgia Tech, where he earned the nickname "Grand Theft Alvarado" for his defensive prowess, his father supported him from afar due to his work schedule, acting as his "hype man" through texts before and after games. Alvarado Jr. has often credited his father's grit and hard work as a major influence.
Alvarado Jr. signed with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2021 and later learned of his trade to the Knicks via FaceTime. His father noted that Jose Jr. had "mixed emotions" due to his loyalty but was ultimately happy to be playing for the Knicks.
Recently, Alvarado Jr. signed a three-year contract with the Knicks valued at over $14 million, a milestone his father expressed pride in, stating, "He can take care of his family forever now." Alvarado Sr. also recounted a memorable encounter with Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing at a game, where Ewing playfully engaged with him about his son.
Reflecting on the championship celebration, Alvarado Sr. expressed immense pride, particularly witnessing the joy of young fans during the ticker-tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes. He observed children treasuring his son's autograph, realizing the impact his son could have on people's lives.