José Alvarado’s whirlwind year is getting another chapter.
The 28-year-old Brooklyn native, a proud Puerto Rican, has been named to Puerto Rico’s roster for the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and will suit up for two road games later this month. Puerto Rico will face Argentina on August 27 and Uruguay on August 31.
For Alvarado, it’s another chance to keep a remarkable run going. After landing with the New York Knicks and helping the team end its 53-year title drought, he now gets to represent the country he loves.
Puerto Rico says Jose Alvarado will play in its 2 World Cup Qualifiers later this month at Argentina and Uruguay pic.twitter.com/8adqPDKuwo
- New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) August 21, 2026
Alvarado is expected to bring the most NBA experience to Puerto Rico’s 12-man group. Ethan Thompson appeared in 32 games for the Indiana Pacers last season, though he has signed to play in Serbia for the coming year. Davon Reed has 122 NBA appearances across four seasons and last played in 2023.
Puerto Rico has been to the FIBA World Cup 15 times, but it has never medaled. Its best finish came in 1990, when it placed fourth. Whether Alvarado will be part of the 2027 tournament, if Puerto Rico qualifies, is still up in the air.
The qualifiers also come at a useful time for Alvarado. Because the Knicks’ playoff run stretched all the way through the NBA Finals, he has had only about two months off so far. The games in Argentina and Uruguay should help him get back into rhythm before New York opens training camp and preseason.
His Knicks stint already had plenty of fireworks. New York acquired him from the New Orleans Pelicans on February 5, and he quickly became a favorite at Madison Square Garden. He scored 12 points in his first game against the Boston Celtics, then exploded for 26 points and eight made 3-pointers two games later against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Alvarado also played a major part in New York’s Game 4 comeback against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. He logged 9:40 in the fourth quarter, scored eight points, handed out three assists and finished at plus-17.
The Knicks kept him around this offseason, signing Alvarado to a three-year deal reportedly worth $14.38 million. Now, after a dream stretch in New York, he’ll add one more proud moment by wearing Puerto Rico’s colors.
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