Jose Alvarado, a point guard for the New York Knicks, was celebrated by the Brooklyn community on Saturday and received a Proclamation marking his return to New York City.
Alvarado, who grew up in the Berry Street Houses in Williamsburg, said he was just like all of the young basketball players who had gathered for his homecoming celebration at the Williamsburg Community Center, where he said he played a few games.
"I was just like ya'll," said Alvarado, who joined the Knicks in February after playing for the New Orleans Pelicans since 2021. "Keep your head up. Don't let anyone tell you 'You can't.'"
Alvarado spent the day signing autographs and taking photos with community members and joked with the crowd: "I play in front of a lot of people but I've never felt so nervous until right now."
The celebration was hosted by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, in partnership with Grand Street Settlement, Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. More than 200 Brooklynites turned out to celebrate Alvarado, many of whom also received Knicks swag.
“Stars are born in Brooklyn, and Jose Alvarado has long proven himself one. Now, Jose gets to shine for his hometown as a New York Knick, and I could not be prouder to welcome him back home,” said Reynoso. “Both Jose and I are proud sons of the Southside of Williamsburg, and this celebration is all about showing the next generation of children from our neighborhood what’s possible with the help of hard work and your community."
Alvarado, who turned 28 on Sunday, is showing the community's young people what’s possible, said Robert Cordero, chief executive officer of Grand Street Settlement.
"It’s a Brooklyn homecoming for one of our own," he said.
During the regular season, Alvarado, known as "Grand Theft Alvarado" for his exceptional skills in stealing the ball from opponents, averaged 7.4 points per game.
The Knicks playoff season against the Atlanta Hawks starts on April 18.
