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Georgia Tech Basketball: Alvarado’s quiet but special freshman season

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 20: Jose Alvarado
CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 20: Jose Alvarado /
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Jose Alvarado’s freshman season was a special season despite not putting up eye popping numbers.

In his freshman season at Georgia Tech, fans saw Jose Alvarado become a major part of the Jackets offense rather quickly. The New York native in his freshman season become a huge part of the team’s identity and while he had his struggles, he looked like a player the program can build around for the next three years.

With the recent news that Josh Okogie may not return to Tech next season, Alvarado will be taking on a much bigger role and if his freshman season is any indication, the Brooklyn native will flourish.

In 25 games this season, Alvarado averaged 12.1 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, and 3.1 assists per game. Those numbers put Alvarado in special Georgia Tech company over the last 20-years.

Since the 1997-98 season, only three freshman Yellow Jackets have averaged 12.0+ points per game, 3.5+ rebounds per game, and 2.0+ assists per game. The three other Jackets to do so are Dion Glover (97-98), Thaddeus Young (06-07), and Javaris Crittenton (06-07). When bumping the assist to 3.0+ per game,Alvarado joins a list that features only Javaris Crittenton.

Even when expanding the list to not just freshman but all Yellow Jackets over the last 20-years, there are still just 11 Yellow Jackets. That list features names such as Iman Shumpert, Jarrett Jack, and Glen Rice just to name a few. Both Jack and Rice did it twice during their careers at Tech.

Nationally, only twenty players averaged 12.0+ points, 3.5+ rebounds, and 2.0+ assists per game, among the names are NBA draft prospects like Oklahoma’s Trey Young and Alabama’s Collin Sexton. Bump it up to 3.0+ assists per game and that list dwindles down to nine.

Next: Baseball: Jackets will have hands full with NC State

So while Jose Alvarado didn’t gather much national attention this season, it’s easy to see that the New York native not only had a great season in all reality but a special season. He may not be the best in any of the three categories but he’s a do-it-all type point guard who can be a leader of the Jackets for the next three years and help the program return to glory.