Flashback: Jose Alvarado Lit Up Italy for 29 Before Joining the Knicks

Before Jose Alvarado wore No. 5 for the New York Knicks, he delivered one of the loudest international performances of his career in San Juan. On July 4, 2024, Alvarado scored 29 points as Puerto Rico beat Italy 80-69 in group play at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The newly released FIBA Basketball short is a rapid reminder of everything New York now values in Alvarado: pull-up range, fearless drives, disruptive defense, instant emotion and a willingness to turn every possession into a fight.

A 29-Point Night Built on Confidence

Alvarado came off the bench and changed the game in 27 minutes and 40 seconds. FIBA's official box score credits him with 29 points on 10-for-15 shooting, including a blistering 7-for-10 from three-point range. He also made both of his free throws, grabbed three rebounds, handed out two assists and recorded three steals.

Those numbers explain the result, but the highlights explain the force of it. Alvarado attacks space without hesitation. He crosses defenders over, slips through traffic, pulls up well beyond the arc and turns steals into immediate pressure at the other end. Even when the shot-making grabs the attention, the defensive activity never disappears.

How Puerto Rico Took Control

Italy led 40-35 at halftime after a 26-point second quarter, but Puerto Rico answered with a 22-17 third period and closed the game with a 23-12 fourth quarter. Alvarado's shooting stretched Italy's defense while his ball pressure helped the home team dictate the final minutes.

The 80-69 victory gave Puerto Rico the top spot in Group B. FIBA reported that it was Puerto Rico's first win over Italy since 1963, adding historical weight to a night that already felt electric inside the Puerto Rico Coliseum.

The Blueprint Knicks Fans Recognize Now

The uniform and setting were different, but the identity was already complete. Alvarado played with the same edge that now makes him a natural fit in New York: pressure the ball, speed up the opponent, trust the jumper and refuse to play cautiously because of size.

• Deep shooting range forced Italy to defend him well beyond the arc.
• Three steals created the type of sudden-possession offense that changes crowd energy.
• His downhill attacks kept larger defenders from settling into comfortable matchups.
• His emotional spark gave Puerto Rico momentum when the game tightened.

For Knicks fans watching the clip in 2026, the flashback feels less like an old highlight and more like an early scouting tape. The traits that made Alvarado special for Puerto Rico are the same traits that made him useful during New York's championship run and keep him on the Knicks' current roster.

The Run Did Not End Against Italy

Puerto Rico went on to win all four games in San Juan and qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 2004. Alvarado was named the tournament's TISSOT MVP after averaging 16.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals. In the final against Lithuania, he led Puerto Rico with 23 points in a 79-68 victory that secured the Olympic berth.

That full tournament run showed that the Italy performance was not an isolated hot streak. It was the peak scoring night within a week when Alvarado controlled games through pressure, pace and confidence. Two years later, Knicks fans can look back at San Juan and see the player New York eventually brought to Madison Square Garden.