MIAMI (United States) – Jose Alvarado entered Window 4 with a distinction few can claim: being the reigning NBA champion. The Puerto Rican point guard recently lifted the Larry O'Brien Trophy with the New York Knicks and returned to the national team to help his country on their path to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027. Alvarado made his Americas Qualifiers debut on August 27, in Puerto Rico's 89-75 road loss to Argentina. Despite the result, the point guard was his team's top performer with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, making it clear how much he can contribute at this decisive stage. His presence on the Puerto Rico national team is nothing new. Since making his senior national team debut in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers, Alvarado has become a regular whenever his NBA commitments have allowed. This commitment earned a special reward in 2024, when he played a key role in helping Puerto Rico return to the Olympic Games after a 20-year absence and earned MVP honors at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in San Juan.
He then played at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the FIBA AmeriCup 2025. Now, at 28, he faces the challenge of helping Puerto Rico secure one of the seven available spots at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027. Still, he does so after experiencing the biggest moment of his professional career.
From the Larry O'Brien Trophy to the Qualifiers
Alvarado joined the Knicks midway through the season after being traded from the New Orleans Pelicans, and he quickly earned a spot in head coach Mike Brown's rotation. During the regular season, he averaged 6.6 points, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steal, while averaging 4.2 points per game in the playoffs. In the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, he played an important role in the rotation and averaged more minutes per game than in any other playoff series that season, at 12.0, while also contributing 4.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists. After winning the championship, Alvarado brought the Larry O'Brien Trophy to Puerto Rico during the summer and shared the celebration with fans and various personalities from the island. Shortly after, he traded his championship uniform for the national team jersey.
Now the challenge is different, but just as important. Puerto Rico is 2-5 and needs to bounce back quickly after the loss to Argentina. The next game will also be on the road, this time against Uruguay in a matchup where Alvarado's presence and production could prove decisive in keeping Puerto Rico's World Cup hopes alive.
A champion among champions
Alvarado is not the only member from the Knicks to have international experience with his respective national team. Several of his teammates have also represented their countries in FIBA competitions. Jalen Brunson, the MVP of the most recent NBA Finals, represented the United States at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, along with Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart. Karl-Anthony Towns represented the Dominican Republic, while Jordan Clarkson played for the Philippines at the same World Cup. Other Knicks champions, such as Ariel Hukporti (Germany), Jeremy Sochan (Poland), Mohamed Diawara (France) and Pacome Dadiet (Côte d'Ivoire/France), also have experience in various FIBA events. However, in Window 4, Alvarado is the only Knicks NBA champion representing his national team, at least during the first set of games. His return comes at a time when Puerto Rico needs precisely that: talent, character and experience to keep fighting for a place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
FIBA