The rise of Jose Alvarado in the NBA has been characterized by his persistence, grit, and underdog spirit, which makes New York point guards feel familiar right away. Alvarado is thinking about what comes after basketball, and who will follow him despite his efforts to carve out a long career in New Orleans.
The Pelicans guard revealed during a conversation with r.org that he’s quietly preparing for something that doesn’t involve endorsement deals or public campaigns. Avoid flashy announcements, charity galas, and oversized check photo ops. Just a court. A place to play. A place that feels like a home.
“I’m building a court in New York for the youth,” Alvarado said. “Just for them to get in the gym a little bit here and there.”
That’s it. No branding, no PR slogan. Alvarado isn’t looking to make himself famous in the city; his goal is to provide children with a space that resembles the New York basketball environment that molded him.
The crowded gyms, loud competition, and a sense of belonging heighten the feeling of belonging. This project is not for him to be a vanity project. It’s a responsibility. The basketball culture of New York develops players in ways that a stat sheet can’t measure. Alvarado has been a part of that culture from high school gyms to Georgia Tech and the NBA. Now, he wants to return the favor. He envisions a court that goes beyond just the surface and lines. To him, it’s a place where children can expend energy, form a community, and tap into the same passion that drove his own aspirations.
The project’s understatement is what draws attention to it. According to Alvarado, it is not categorized as a foundation. He’s not rolling out a philanthropic “initiative.” This is just something he feels compelled to do — the natural next step for someone who sees his platform less as a spotlight and more as an opportunity to create access. According to him, there will be more ideas in the future. “Partnerships, business moves, and collaborations are still being formed and growing, just like my career.” It’s clear Alvarado isn’t rushing into the business world with the eagerness of an athlete trying to build an empire overnight. He’s watching, learning, and figuring out where he fits. The court is step one.
Everything else will come when it’s supposed to. “I will keep getting involved business-wise as I keep going,” he said. “I’ll talk about it as things progress.”
For now, his focus remains narrow: helping the kids who were once him. He recalls how New York basketball made him feel, not only in competition but also in joy. The noise. The challenge. The freedom. He wants the next generation to feel that too. In an era where athletes often brand their philanthropy before it even launches, Alvarado’s approach stands out. He’s not selling an image or building a campaign.
He’s trying to build something real, something useful, something that lives longer than a news cycle. It’s possible that the court he’s preparing won’t make headlines.
Alvarado’s statement isn’t as conventional as sports announcements, but it reveals his character as a player who acknowledges that impact isn’t measured by press releases. The individuals who arrive, pick up a ball, and experience a sense of belonging. If he is successful, numerous kids in New York will have that opportunity.
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