ACC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

24. Jose Alvarado

An effective backcourt weapon, Alvarado is a 6’0 point guard originally from Brooklyn who spent his 4-year collegiate career at Georgia Tech under Josh Pastner. The Yellow Jackets have been a largely dormant basketball program for much of the last decade and a half, but Alvarado didn’t let that continue, leaving behind quite a legacy with this program.

Alvarado was a full-time starter for his entire career and averaged at least 12 points and 3 assists in each of his seasons. He shot 37% from beyond the arc as a freshman and was a major part of the Yellow Jackets’ offense. A menace on the defensive end as well, his senior year was by far his most successful, averaging 15.2 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.8 steals per game while helping lead Georgia Tech to the ACC Tournament title, making their first trip to the NCAA Tournament in over a decade.

The conference’s steals leader in back-to-back seasons, Alvarado won ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors in his senior year, his second season earning All-ACC honors as well. An efficient senior season saw him put up impressive numbers. Leading Georgia Tech to the Big Dance is the icing on top, solidifying this unforgettable season and building Alvarado’s future stock; his career continues in the NBA.