Puerto Rican NBA players in 2024 Olympics feat. Jose Alvarado
NBA star Jose Alvarado and Puerto Rico are making a strong case to be a team to watch out for in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The guard, who plies his trade for the New Orleans Pelicans, earned their spot at the marquee event with a 4-0 run as hosts of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments earlier this month.
They will be up against South Sudan, which is making its debut in Olympic basketball and had already made a strong impression by giving Team USA a tough challenge during the showcase games. The last time both these sides met, at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Puerto Rico emerged winners with a 101-96 victory.
Tip-off between the two teams is slated for 5 a.m. ET in Lille, France. Puerto Rico and Sudan are part of Group C, along with Team USA and Serbia — a group they will have their hands full with.
Both teams have a string of NBA players who played in the league, and ahead of the much-awaited clash, here are a few Puerto Rican players (former and present) who are set to suit up for their country on Sunday.
Puerto Rican NBA players in 2024 Olympics feat. Jose Alvarado
#1 Jose Alvarado - Present NBA Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Point guard Jose Alvarado is one of the names to keep an eye out for. Chirpy and fiery in his approach, the Pelicans star has played in one of the biggest leagues in basketball and is expected to be a player who will help Puerto Rico make a deep run in the tournament.
#2 Davon Reed - Former NBA Team: LA Lakers
Davon Reed has played for a few NBA teams, with his last being the LA Lakers. He was sent to LA in a four-team trade involving the Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, and the Orlando Magic. The franchise waived him on April 9. The guard later suited up for a G League team, the Memphis Hustle.
#3 Tremont Waters - Former NBA Team: Washington Wizards
Earlier this year, Tremont Waters signed with the Gigantes de Carolina of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional. Before that, he played for the South Bay Lakers and had stints with the Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics.