HOMECOMING
Pelicans PG Alvarado honored by Christ the King
Jose Alvarado sometimes didn’t “pass the eye test.” That’s the way Joe Arbitello, his coach at Christ the King High School in Queens, described the 6-foot guard. The way Alvarado’s path has unfolded — from Georgia Tech to an undrafted NBA player to a key rotation member with the Pelicans — reflected ithat, too.
But Friday night, inside Christ the King’s gymnasium for his jersey retirement ceremony, Alvarado was the center of attention, with the aura of a budding NBA star. Spectators posed with his Jordan Rising Stars MVP trophy. Pelicans teammates joined him on the court. He trekked through the bleachers for hugs and photos.
With Alvarado in attendance, there was an overlap of the Royals’ past — the underdog example that Arbitello has used, and will keep using, with his teams — and their present, as Christ the King defeated St. Francis Prep, 73-72, in the Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan Championship.
The school presented Alvarado with a framed high-school jersey, a No. 10 that won’t be worn again in the program. They also framed his No. 15 from the Pelicans.
“There’s a lot of people that wear the No. 10 and it’s special,” Alvarado said, “and for me to have the last chance with that, it’s an honor. It’s an honor.”
Arbitello had the idea for the ceremony about six months ago. It happened Friday because the Pelicans were in town to play the Knicks on Saturday night and Christ the King was hosting the Diocesan Championship. The fact the Royals advanced far enough to play in the game was a bonus.
When Arbitello first mentioned the jersey retirement, Alvarado didn’t believe it. The pair have spoken often since, and Alvarado became more excited each time. Then, recently, Alvarado broke his own news to Arbitello: “Your boy’s an All-Star,” as he revealed his Jordan Rising Stars selection.
“It’s like he’s still a junior in high school when I talk to him,” Arbitello told The Post.
Alvarado blossomed at Christ the King. He had highlights like the first quadruple-double in school history. He had nights when he impressed college coaches, and others when he
locked down top recruits, such as Rawle Alkins, in practice.
When Alvarado visited last year, with the Pelicans in New York, Arbitello brought him to Christ the King’s locker room. He had his players stand up and showed them that nearly everyone was taller than the thenrookie.
Arbitello claimed — though Alvarado disagreed — he couldn’t dunk, either.
He wanted to demonstrate that it took more than talent alone to reach the NBA. Maybe it scared some, Arbitello said. Maybe it inspired others. But one year later, with Alvarado established in an
NBA rotation, the coach’s message carried even more relevance.
“We have better athletes on this team right now,” Arbitello told The Post. “I have bigger guys on this team right now.
“He’s playing at the Garden [on Saturday] night.”