Jose Alvarado: From undrafted to key to Pelicans’ bench

Jose Alvarado has become one of the unsung heroes for the New Orleans Pelicans lately with the absence of Brandon Ingram. The undrafted rookie has been stepping up and that is exactly what the Pelicans need going forward if they want to make a push deep into April.

Jose Alvarado does a little of everything that contributes to winning, as his defense off the bench is often a catalyst, he sets up teammates in the half court in and transition and isn’t afraid to take the big shot, as he did late in the game in the win over the Hawks.

Averaging just over five points per game, Jose Alvarado has been improving in the month of March. He has scored in double digits twice in the last week. He scored 15 points against the Hawks on 55 percent shooting from the field. He is an efficient scorer when he has the hot hand. Over the last 10 games for the Pelicans, he has been averaging seven points with four assists per game. Both over his average.

When he played at Georgia Tech, Alvarado won ACC Defensive Player of the Year and it is easy to see why. He has averaged just over one steal per game for the season, but in the last 10 he is averaging two steals per game. His defense makes it easier for the Pels to get out and run, which is important for a team that sometimes struggles in the half court, especially without Brandon Ingram.

He has replaced some of the energy and defense the Pelicans lost when they traded Josh Hart and like Hart, is becoming a fan favorite because of his non-stop motor and fun-loving personality.

Jose Alvarado has went from an undrafted two-way player to a key part of the Pelicans’ bench and a guy who is going to force them into some difficult decisions in the future.