As the NBA Finals heat up, two former Texas A&M Aggies find themselves in a unique position to chase championship glory. The matchup is set between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, and while Thunder guard Alex Caruso has experienced the thrill of hoisting the trophy during his 2020 stint with the Los Angeles Lakers in the Florida bubble, his teammate on the opposing side, Pacers guard Quenton Jackson, is eyeing his first taste of championship success.
Caruso, a staple of the Thunder's playoff defense, has become the epitome of a savvy veteran presence. His knack for being impeccably positioned on the court, coupled with his elite defending skills, have been invaluable.
During the regular season, Caruso posted an average of 7.1 points per game, numbers that only tell part of the story of his impact on the court. NBA insider Brian Windhorst recently mentioned on ESPN's First Take how Caruso's acquisition from the Chicago Bulls might be the game-changing trade of the season.
Windhorst compared it to the pivotal impact Jrue Holiday's move had on the Boston Celtics for their championship push in 2024, suggesting Caruso could have a similar effect for the Thunder in 2025.
On the flip side, Quenton Jackson's journey to the Pacers' roster is a testament to perseverance and talent. Despite going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, Jackson found a home with the Washington Wizards after showing promise in the G League.
His debut season saw him averaging 6.2 points over nine games. Later, his performance with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the G League affiliate for the Pacers, caught enough attention to earn him a spot on Indiana's roster.
Though he only played in three games in the 2023-24 season, this past regular season saw Jackson getting the nod to start in seven of 28 appearances, managing an average of 5.8 points. While he hasn't seen playoff action yet, his contributions during the regular season secure him a potential championship ring should the Pacers prevail.
With The Finals set to tip off on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. CT in Oklahoma City, both Caruso and Jackson stand as exemplars of different paths leading to the same pinnacle. Their collegiate ties to Texas A&M add a layer of intrigue to an already exciting matchup, as each seeks to add another illustrious chapter to their professional saga.
