Jordan is back with another edition of the NBA All-Star Rising Stars Challenge, taking place at Spectrum Center on Friday, February 14. Jose Alvarado won Jordan Rising Stars MVP after leading Team Pau to a tournament victory at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City to cap the first day of All-Star Weekend. The event features players selected by their peers based on their on-court performance during the 2018-19 NBA season.
Jose Alvarado brought strong defense and a hot hand from beyond the arc to Team Pau’s offensive attack. He dropped 13 points in the semifinal matchup against Team Deron, then drilled a game-winning three-pointer in the final against Team Joakim.
Alvarado was mic’d up for the event and provided a great commentary. He can point out how far apart friends are and how much he dislikes a song.
Just because he had never played in a pro basketball game prior to Friday doesn’t mean Fred VanVleet wasn’t the most impressive player on the court.
The second annual Dream Hoops Tourney consists of four teams, led by three former NBA stars and the number one draft pick in 2023. Team Pau Gasol defeated Team Deron Williams 40-32 in the semifinals to win a cash prize and advance to face Team Joakim Noah in finals
There was no time limit in either semifinal or the championship: games went up to 40 points, before ending at 25 points.