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New York Hoops, Nationwide Impact

BQE Admin on May 7, 2026

How New York is headlining the hardwood

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

New York City is balling out, but the impact of local hoops is being felt across the country. The Knicks are red hot, former Johnnies are playing big postseason roles, and Brooklyn’s past youngsters are forging paths forward.

Jose hoops at home

Brooklyn native and former Christ the King standout Jose Alvarado laced up his shoes at the Mecca for his first playoff series as a Knick. Jose played five of the six games against Atlanta, scoring 5 and picking up a steal on average in 9.6 minutes played.

While most of the heavy lifting was done by Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges, the Puerto Rican point guard helped keep NY’s energy and effort with the rest of the Knick reserves.

On Monday night Jose picked up another 5 points as well as an assist, a rebound, and a steal as the Knicks trounced the Philadelphia 76ers by 39 points.

Daniss in Detroit

Daniss Jenkins went undrafted after a stellar senior year at St. John’s. The guard followed Rick Pitino from the Iona Gaels to the Red Storm for his final year, where he averaged 14.9 points and 5.4 assists.

Now with the Detroit Pistons in his second year as a pro, Jenkins is starting to make a name for himself. He knocked down a huge buzzer-beating three against Orlando to help Detroit overcome a 3-1 series deficit, leading all bench scorers with 16 in the Game 7 win.

Jenkins isn’t the only former Johnnie playing postseason ball this year. Julian Champagnie spent three years in Queens, standing out in his sophomore and junior seasons. While it took the sharpshooting guard some time to settle, he’s finally carved out a significant role for the San Antonio Spurs. Champagnie cemented his role over the past two seasons, playing all 164 regular season games with 68 starts this past year.

Pitino’s stars blossom

Pitino’s other stars are also starting to blossom on the NBA stage. In the 2nd round, Jenkins took on the Cavs, featuring one of Hall of Fame coach’s top performers at Louisville, Donovan Mitchell.

For the upcoming NBA draft, Pitino’s recent senior standouts have been invited to the combine this month. BIG EAST Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor will be hunting a first round selection, accompanied by Dillon Mitchell, who hopes to impress with his defense, athleticism, and potential.

A first round selection would be the first out of St. John’s since Philadelphia drafted Moe Harkless 15th overall in 2012 (Dom Pointer was a 2nd round pick in 2015, but only played in the NBA Development League and abroad).

BK’s past powers Cavs

The Brooklyn Nets of years past have their fingerprints all over Cleveland’s Game 7 win against Toronto. Leading the charge was Kenny Atkinson, who coached Brooklyn during some pivotal years. Atkinson picked up his second playoff series win, also advancing out of the first round last season.

The difference-maker in the winner-take-all game was Jarrett Allen. The former Nets 1st round draft pick recorded a monster double-double with 22 points and 19 rebounds. Allen averaged 11.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game in the series.

A few other former Nets filled out the Cavs roster. James Harden averaged a hair over 20 points per game with 6 assists and 5.3 rebounds. Dennis Shroder also added some minutes off the bench for Cleveland, 

Cloudy skies ahead

After what seemed like an eternity, Natasha Cloud has put pen to paper. The veteran guard will be with the Chicago Sky for the 2026 season, joining another former NY fan favorite in Courtney Vandersloot.

Cloud averaged about 10 points and 5 assists in her one year with the Liberty. Between her contagious energy and unshakable passion to speak on social issues, Natasha stands out despite joining New York after their championship season and playing just over 40 games.

Liberty Lock Up Big 3, Sign Satou Sabally

BQE Admin on April 23, 2026

3x All-Star joins loaded roster in hunt for a 2nd NY ring

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

“It’s always been a dream, playing here. I’ve always wanted to come home,” said Satou Sabally in her introductory press conference last Friday morning. “New York fans are tough on you and I love that and embrace it but they’re also so welcoming.”

The three-time WNBA All-Star is one of the newest members of the NY Liberty, who have hit the ground running in free agency. So far she is enjoying her time back in the city she was born in, looking forward to the season’s tip-off next month.

Satou Sabally

Sabally spent 2025 in Phoenix where she helped bring a loaded Mercury team to the WNBA Finals. She was dominant on both sides of the ball, just as she was in Dallas the six seasons prior. She was named an All-Star for the third time as she led Phoenix in scoring in the regular season and playoffs.

Sabally and superstar teammate Alyssa Thomas overcame a Game 1 loss to the Liberty in last year’s opening round to win in three games. They went on to do the same in four games against the championship-favorite Minnesota Lynx before ultimately being swept by the Las Vegas Aces in the Finals.

Sabrina Ionescu

The Liberty announced the return of their star trio later on Friday. Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones will all be back in seafoam green this year, as expected.

Ionescu may be returning to a primary ball-handling role this year. The 2020 first overall pick is now a four-time All-Star, also named to the All-WNBA 2nd Team last year.

Breanna Stewart

Breanna Stewart was a vital piece of the Liberty’s quest to repeat as champions last year. The 9-year superstar has dominated on both ends of the court, leading New York in points, blocks, and steals per game. She went to her 7th All-Star game, also earning All-WNBA 2nd Defensive Team honors last season.

Jonquel Jones

2024 Finals MVP Jonquel Jones is staying for 2026, looking to bounce back from a season where she wasn’t quite as dominant as others. The Bahamanian missed some time last year (as did Ionescu, Stewart, and plenty of others) but still tallied 12 double-doubles. Her physicality in the paint will be vital this year, especially with the addition of Sabally to the frontcourt.

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is coming back to New York after missing the 2025 season with a meniscus tear. A sharpshooting wing and defensive force, Laney-Hamilton is bringing an unmatchable intensity back to the Liberty lineup.

Preseason training camp is underway in Brooklyn, with the first of two tune-up games tipping off this weekend. New York will host the Indiana Fever on Saturday, the 25 at 3pm at the Barclays Center. Then after heading up for a second preseason game in Connecticut, they open the regular season against the Sun on May 8 in Brooklyn.

St. John’s is Sweet Once More!

BQE Admin on March 24, 2026

Johnnies beat Kansas, await Duke in first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999

Dylan Darling is swarmed by teammates after his buzzer-beating layup as St. John’s advanced past the second round for the first time in over two decades! Photos courtesy St. John’s basketball.

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

For the first time since 1999, the St. John’s Red Storm are dancing beyond the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. A dominant showing against the #12 University of Northern Iowa Panthers and a gritty win over the #4 Kansas Jayhawks put the Johnnies into the Sweet 16, where they take on top overall seeded Duke.

Storm Watch in San Diego

The Red Storm opened with a 13-0 lead in their opening round matchup in San Diego. While the UNI Panthers boasted one of the best defenses in D1 hoops, they were no match for a fast paced and physical St. John’s squad.

The Johnnies led by as much as 21 in the opening half, going into the break up 47-28. To nobody’s surprise, leading the way was Zuby Ejiofor with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and a pair of blocks. The St. John’s senior was left off all three All-American but showed off on the national stage, dominating on both ends of the floor.

The Red Storm stifled the Panthers’ offense, forcing Northern Iowa to shoot a measly 39% from the floor and 21% from three, well below their season averages. UNI only got two points off the bench, though Trey Campbell and Leon Bond III both had solid games as starters.

St. John’s pulled away in the second frame, going on to win 79-53. Ejiofor tallied a double-double with 14 points and 11 boards to go with his 4 blocks. Bryce Hopkins added 13 points and Dillon Mitchell pulled down another 9 rebounds.

In the other matchup in San Diego, #4 Kansas took on the #13 Cal Baptist Lancers. It was a fairly comfortable matchup for Bill Self’s squad, holding their opponents to just 18 first half points before fending off a decent second half comeback attempt. 

Presumptive #1 overall NBA draft pick Darryn Peterson scored 21 in his NCAAT debut. Dominique Daniels Jr. led the Lancers with 25, but it wasn’t enough for Cal Baptist as they fell 68-60.

Zuby Ejiofor recorded a double-double in the tournament opener against Northern Iowa.

For Whom the Bells Toll

The matchup between Rick Pitino and Bill Self marked the second straight year Hall-of-Fame coaches clashed in the second round. In the 2025 tournament, John Calipari’s Arkansas took down Kansas in the opening round before downing the Red Storm in round two.

This year both coaches were safe from the Razorbacks, who advanced to the Sweet 16 in the West region where they take on #1 Arizona. Still, Kansas vs St. John’s marked the third time coaches with 2+ national titles clashed in March Madness.

The Johnnies shot early and often, showing confidence even when the three pointers stopped falling. They took an early advantage but weren’t able to build a gap against Kansas in the first half. St. John’s took 23 three pointers in the opening half, setting a record for a team coached by Rick Pitino. They only hit seven, with three of those shots coming in the opening three minutes of action.

“They don’t believe we can shoot and we’re proving them right,” said Pitino during an in-game interview. “But we’re gonna keep on shooting them until they go in.”

The shooting got more conservative in the second half, as the Red Storm went 4/12 from downtown. They were able to coast into the back end of the half up 14 points, their largest lead of the night, but Kansas began to chip away at the deficit.

Up just one point, Bryce Hopkins came up clutch with the biggest three of the night. The senior transfer didn’t hesitate as he caught and shot from the elbow to put the Johnnies up by four with 1:30 left to play.

Bryce Hopkins connected on a few clutch threes against Kansas, including one to put the Red Storm up by four points with under 2 minutes to play.

The Jayhawks stayed close, scoring to bring the lead down to two before Peterson drew a shooting foul to tie the game from the free throw line. With a few fouls to give, Kansas intentionally fouled to limit the Red Storm shot clock to just over three seconds for the final possession.

Three seconds was all that was needed as Dylan Darling drove into the lane for a quick layup as time expired. The Red Storm piled onto the junior guard, celebrating his only made field goal of the night.

The 67-65 win marks the first trip to the Sweet 16 this century for St. John’s, setting up some thrilling matchups in Washington DC this weekend.

Darling’s game-winner was his first made field goal of the game, a testament to the junior guard’s confidence.

Johnny vs Goliath

Now the biggest test of the year awaits Pitino and the Red Storm. The Duke Blue Devils struggled against #16 Siena in the opening round, but they looked much more like the tournament’s top seed as they thrashed TCU in the round of 32. Still, they wouldn’t be the first #1 seed to crash out of the tournament, as the defending champion Florida Gators fell to #9 Iowa in the second round, the biggest upset of the tournament so far.

It will be another test against future NBA talent as Duke features the Boozer brothers, Cameron and Cayden. The freshman fraternal twins will look to carry Duke to a 6th ever program title, and interestingly enough the Blue Devils defeated the Red Storm at some point in each of their previous title-winning campaigns.

The other Sweet 16 matchup in the East Region features another Hall of Fame coach in Tom Izzo. His #3 Michigan State Spartans will take on a future Hall of Famer in Dan Hurley and the #2 UConn Huskies in what’s sure to be an incredible matchup in DC.

Should the Johnnies and Huskies both advance, it would set up a remarkable BIG EAST rematch on one of the biggest possible stages.

Ejiofor was dominant in his first two games. How far can the Red Storm captain carry this St. John’s squad?

Tip-off between the Red Storm and Blue Devils will be at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC on Friday, March 27 at 7:10pm. The Huskies and Spartans will play afterwards at 9:45pm. The winners will clash in the Elite Eight on Sunday, March 29.

Red Storm Enters 2026 NCAA Tournament as East’s 5 Seed

BQE Admin on March 19, 2026

St. John’s blows out UConn in BIG EAST Final to claim back-to-back conference titles

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

Earlier this season, it seemed like back-to-back BIG EAST regular season and tournament championships were out of the question for St. John’s. The UConn Huskies sat comfortably in the nation’s top-10 all season long while the Johnnies struggled against a tough non-conference schedule before faltering against the Friars in early January.

However, after their defeat to Providence the Red Storm went 18-1, culminating in a conference tournament championship tiebreaker against UConn. St. John’s defeated the Huskies in the first matchup of the year, 81-72 at MSG. When the Red Storm visited Hartford for the return game, UConn responded with a 32-point win to snap their 13-game winning streak.

The contest in Connecticut opened the door for the Huskies to win their second outright regular season title in over 20 years, but two late conference defeats to Creighton and Marquette allowed St. John’s to claim a consecutive BIG EAST crown on the final weekend of action.

The St. John’s Red Storm went back to back in both the BIG EAST regular season and tournament for the first time in program history! Photo by Noah Zimmerman

 

Red Storm v Huskies III

The Red Storm didn’t trail for a moment in their first two BIG EAST Tournament matchups, winning a season series tiebreaker against Providence before taking down the Seton Hall Pirates. They carried that momentum into the championship game, opening with a quick 10-0 lead.

That advantage ballooned as large as 17 in the opening half. Zuby Ejiofor was dominant on both ends, Dillon Mitchell was searing through the air for dunks, and Bryce Hopkins kept scoring as the trio once again dominated the floor.

UConn was able to keep the deficit to 13 at the break, going on to mount a 2nd half comeback. A 9-0 run cut the lead to just 7 points but Ejiofor knocked down a three to help the Johnnies maintain control.

The battle of the bigs was terrific as UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr. took on Ejiofor. The Huskies senior scored a team high 17 points, also leading the team in rebounds with 7. Ejiofor finished with 18 points, tied with Hopkins for the game high. He brought down 9 rebounds, picked up 3 steals, and recorded 7 of 8 Red Storm blocks.

St. John’s pulled away in the final minutes, winning 72-52. For the second straight year, the Red Storm conquered the BIG EAST, and for the 4th straight season the regular season winner repeated as conference tournament champions.

The Red Storm have been on fire in 2026. Their only losses this year came in early January against Providence and in late February at UConn.

 

A Top-10 Ranked 5 Seed?

The Red Storm were one of a few teams handed brutal draws on Selection Sunday. Despite coming in at #10 on Monday’s AP National Rankings, St. John’s were given the #5 seed in a brutal Eastern Region.

Atop the region is the #1 overall seeded Duke, who the Johnnies would face in the Sweet 16 should they win their opening two rounds. If they’re somehow able to unseat the top team in the nation, a fourth matchup against UConn could await St. John’s with a place in the Final Four on the line.

However, the focus must remain on opening weekend. While the #5 vs #12 matchups are famed for dramatic upsets, St. John’s were drawn against a Northern Iowa team that doesn’t have the physical presence to stop the Red Storm’s three-headed frontcourt monster. 

The Johnnies fell in the 2nd round in 2025 to John Calipari and #10 Arkansas, and it will likely be another 2nd round battle between Hall of Fame coaches as Rick Pitino faces Bill Self and the #4 Kansas Jayhawks.

All three matchups between the Red Storm and Huskies have been thrilling, even though two of them ended up fairly lopsided. Will they meet again in the Elite Eight?

 

Dance, Johnnies! Dance!

The second half of the season has been nothing short of magical for St. John’s. Now it’s time to see if Pitino can help the Red Storm carry that magic into late March.

Tip-off in the opening round against Northern Iowa is slated for Friday, March 20 at 7:10pm in San Diego. The winner advances to the second round to play either Kansas or Cal Baptist on Sunday the 22.

The East Regional matchups (Sweet 16 and Elite 8) will be held at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. on March 27 and 29 with the Final Four and NCAA Championship tipping off at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on March 4 and 6.

Zuby Ejiofor Elevates Red Storm Over Nova in Bounce-back Win

BQE Admin on March 3, 2026

St. John’s captain records first ever triple-double to blow out the visiting Wildcats

Zuby Ejiofor recorded his first ever competitive triple-double, becoming the fourth known member of St. John’s to do so. He follows Kadary Richmond’s 2025 performance, Ron Artest’s in 1999, and David Cain’s in the 1993 NCAA Tournament. (Photos by Noah Zimmerman)

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

It was wire to wire dominance for the UConn Huskies in Hartford, Connecticut last Wednesday night. After falling at Madison Square Garden a few weeks ago, the #6 team in the nation blew out the #15 ranked St. John’s Red Storm, 72-40.

For the visiting Johnnies it was by far their worst shooting performance of the season. Their 40 points were the lowest scored by either team in a Red Storm game this year. It also marked the least points ever scored by a Rick Pitino-coached team.

Joson Sanon was the only Johnnie in double figures, scoring 10 points on 3/10 shooting. The Red Storm hit just 25% of their perimeter shots and 20% of their field goal attempts. 

In the second half they only converted two field goal attempts, missing their last 24 and only scoring 14 total points. The missed-FG streak is the longest in Division 1 and the worst stretch for any nationally ranked or BIG EAST team in eight years.

“All I know is we didn’t play good offense,” said Pitino after the game. “We did things that we’ve never done. And again, that’s something I got to question about myself, and I will question it because the team did not do the things we’ve done in the last 13 games. Give [UConn] credit. We’ll move on.”

“I’ve never been through that experience,” said Zuby Ejiofor when asked to describe what happened on Wednesday night. “This loss is one that you really want to forget and move on to the next opponent because Villanova is a great team as well. Championship-level teams respond in a positive way, and my job is to make sure that we are a lot more prepared for the next opponent than we were tonight.”

St. John’s were more than prepared as they opened an early 11-2 lead against the Wildcats on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. The lead ballooned as large as 30 points in the first half, punctuated by a series of invigorating dunks.

Ian Jackson had five steals against Nova, setting a career high. He took one all the way to the bucket with an emphatic windmill jam.

All over the ball on the defensive end was Ian Jackson, who amassed an impressive three first half steals en route to a career-best five. His transition dunk was the cherry on top; an emphatic windmill slam that brought the raucous MSG crowd to their feet. Jackson scored 19, one of his best nights as a Johnnie.

Things didn’t get much easier for Villanova in the second half. Freshman forward Matt Hodge went down with an injury later confirmed to be a season-ending ACL tear, and despite his teammates coming to life and briefly cutting the deficit to 20 points, the Red Storm maintained a comfortable advantage.

In the waning moments of the matchup, Zuby Ejiofor put the finishing touches on a dominant night. With just over three minutes to go he found Joson Sanon for a midrange jumper, tallying his 10th assist.

Zuby knocks down a deep jumper against Villanova. He was firing on all cylinders, dominating on offense and defense.

The MSG crowd roared once more as Ejiofor celebrated his first ever competitive triple-double. The Red Storm captain scored 16 points with 12 rebounds to go with his career-high in assists, also picking up three blocks and a steal on the defensive end.

Zuby’s triple-double marks just the fourth in St. John’s history. He followed Kadary Richmond’s 2025 performance, Ron Artest’s in 1999, and David Cain’s in the 1993 NCAA Tournament.

On the same day as Zuby’s, Richmond picked up his first professional triple-double with the Capital City Go-Go in the NBA G League. Another senior from last year’s Red Storm squad, Deivon Smith, recorded his own the following day for the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors.

Rick Pitino brought out the white suit for Saturday night’s contest. It delighted the sold-out MSG crowd, who gave him a standing ovation.

The Red Storm out-assisted Villanova 26-11 and out-rebounded them 40-26. It was complete dominance and a much-needed bounce back win as St. John’s heads into their season finale this Friday night in New Jersey.

Following an emotional senior night on Tuesday against Georgetown, all that’s left to decide the BIG EAST regular season championship is the Red Storm’s contest against the Seton Hall Pirates and UConn’s matchup with last place Marquette.

If UConn and St. John’s finish tied, the Red Storm will likely claim the top seed for the BIG EAST Tournament due to their sweep against Creighton. The tournament runs from March 11 to the 14 at Madison Square Garden.

On Mondayís AP College Basketball Rankings the Red Storm slid to #18, with UConn back up to #4. Villanova is also receiving votes and should appear in the NCAA Tournament later this month.

Nets One of a Few NBA Teams to Honor Black History

BQE Admin on February 18, 2026

Brooklyn hosts one of the best Black History Month celebrations of 2026

It was Black History Night at the Barclays Center earlier this month as the Nets took on the Chicago Bulls! Photos: Christian Spencer

By Christian Spencer

sports@queensledger.com

The Brooklyn Nets are one of the few NBA teams this year to host a Black History Month game, showing how the franchise’s identity is deeply rooted in its Black heritage. 

On February 9, the team celebrated that identity with a 123–115 win over the Chicago Bulls, in-arena performances, and a special appearance by Nets legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving.

The evening was not just a game, but a veritable indicator of Brooklyn’s influence on Black culture, basketball, and community.

Fans watched a tight contest that swung both ways before the Nets closed it out with crisp late-game execution and balanced scoring down the stretch. 

Beyond the scoreboard, the game highlighted Black generations and community traditions that have shaped Brooklyn’s identity. 

African dancers opened the night with bright colors and pounding drums that energized the arena and set a vibrant tone.

A cookout-style dance-off followed, as Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, and Gen Z playfully competed over which generation produced the best music and moves during a pregame “Black Family Reunion” activation staged with Brooklyn-based platform The Lay Out. 

The Nets hosted a pregame fireside chat on Black health and wellness, where artist and entrepreneur Styles P spoke with local community groups about mental, physical, and emotional healing. 

KBT Temple and Praise performed Lift Every Voice & Sing and the National Anthem before tipoff, and the Brooklynettes and Team Hype honored Black social dance at halftime alongside the New York Liberty’s Timeless Torches, bridging generations. 

The programming was a copious investment in Blackness that extended beyond the court.

Before the halftime show, fans were welcomed by NBA legend Julius Erving, popularly known as Dr. J. 

Though his appearance was brief and silent, the arena erupted in cheers as the iconic player watched his hometown team secure a meaningful win during Black History Month. 

Dr. J’s presence was especially fitting: he won championships in both the ABA and NBA and inspired generations of players, including Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, and Vince Carter. 

His Nets jersey — No. 32 — hangs in the rafters.

Julius Erving was honored during the game. His Nets jersey sits in the rafters at the Barclays Center.

Other NBA teams also hosted Black History Month-themed games. 

The Boston Celtics celebrated with the NBA Pioneers Classic against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 1, honoring the league’s first Black players, according to The Boston Herald.

The Bucks followed with their Black Excellence Game versus the Bulls on February 3, according to TMJ4, NBC Milwaukee, while the San Antonio Spurs marked Black Heritage Night against the Dallas Mavericks on February 7 with in-game spotlights and community programming, according to The Associated Press.

The Atlanta Hawks’ Black History Month game versus the Washington Wizards is scheduled for February 26. 

Even so, the Nets’ February 9 game offered one of the most performative celebrations, reflecting a season-long commitment to honoring Black culture.

As Brooklyn Downtown Star previously reported, the Nets’ embrace of hip-hop culture separates them from most franchises. 

The team collaborates with the Notorious B.I.G. estate, with the Brooklyn Camo City Edition uniforms — first introduced in 2018–19 and revived for the 2025–26 season — paying tribute to the late rapper and his Bedford-Stuyvesant roots. 

The arena reflects Brooklyn’s hip-hop legacy, from Biggie-themed nights and halftime programming to the influence of Jay-Z, who advocated for the team’s return to Brooklyn.

From the Archives – August 26, 2021: “Former Christ the King Star Jose Alvarado Signs with Pelicans”

BQE Admin on February 12, 2026

Plenty has changed from CTK to Georgia Tech and the Pelicans, but Alvarado’s tough style of play hasn’t. (Photos from D1Scout.com, ramblinwreck.com, & @PelicansNBA)

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

Five years ago, Jose Alvarado was named CHSAA Player of the Year, turning heads at Christ the King High School in Middle Village. Now the Brooklyn native is on his way to an NBA career, recently signing a two-way contract with the Pelicans.

“When I first met him I thought he was a win at all cost player, the ones I love,” said Christ the King head coach Joe Arbitello. “I knew he would be successful at whatever he chose to do. It’s not a surprise to me he’s in the NBA.”

Alvarado was a four-star recruit out of high school, landing at Georgia Tech under head coach Josh Pastner. In his first year he averaged 12 points, the fourth most by a GT freshman.

By his senior year, Alvarado was averaging 15.2 points and 2.8 steals, a tough player on both sides of the ball. He was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year as Georgia Tech finished 4th in the conference before making a run for the ACC championship.

“Jose is a hard worker, a real hard-nosed individual,” said Pastner. “Coaches love guys like him. He does all the little things to help you win games, fights for every 50/50 ball. That’s what made him Defensive Player of the Year and back-to-back steals leader, the first in the ACC since Chris Paul.”

Up five in the final seconds of the championship game, Alvarado sealed the title with a steal and assist.

“This is why I work my butt off,” said an emotional Alvarado after the game. “A lot of people doubted me. I wasn’t supposed to be in the ACC, but coach took a chance on me,”

Not many players in his situation end up in the NBA, but on draft night, Alvarado knew he had a chance.

“I worked out for 17 different teams and honestly I didn’t know who was going to pick me,” said Alvarado. “I knew the chances of getting drafted were pretty low, but as the process went I started to feel that this might happen, I might get my name called. When I got the phone call it was a dream come true, like a number one pick for me.”

While he didn’t end up picked in the top 60, Alvarado was a part of the Pelicans’ draft day plans. They kept a keen eye on him as they dealt their final pick of the draft, later picking up the Yellow Jackets star.

New Orleans was one of the most comfortable pre-draft workouts for Alvarado, who kept busy in the months leading up to the draft.

“It felt really good,” he said. “They welcomed me with open arms and good energy. It was a good fit, not forced or anything, one of my best workouts easily.”

In the NBA Summer League, Jose took the floor looking to prove he belonged on the roster. In his five games, he did exactly that, leading the team in steals, blocks, and rebounds per game while finishing second in points and assists.

Alvarado’s energy was contagious and he remained confident as ever on the ball. While he has plenty of growth to do, he got valuable experience to learn the speed of the pro game.

With his NBA career on the horizon, Alvarado still looks back to his time hooping in his hometown.

“New York is always gonna be my home, when I go to Christ the King, they’re always gonna be my family. They show so much love because they know my story, they were there with me. My story’s different from a lot of others because not a lot of guys like me get a chance to make it. Where I’m from, that’s never happened.”

Alvarado’s stats may not pop off of the box score, but his effort, dedication, and heart certainly stand out on the court. He knows his role and he plays it well. Whether starting, coming off the bench, or training with the team, the Pelicans are lucky to have Alvarado on board.

“I’m 6-foot on a good day, don’t have the craziest length, I can’t jump up and jam, don’t have the best jump shot, but I give my heart out and I’ll give it my all every time,” he said. “I play like I’m 7-foot and I play like I’m jumping out of the gym.”

This article was originally published on August 26, 2021. Alvarado was traded to the New York Knicks on February 5, 2026.

Nets Battle Jazz in Salt Lake as Trade Deadline Looms

BQE Admin on February 5, 2026

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

The Nets travelled out West last week for a trio of matchups to finish off a lackluster January. After going 7-4 in December, Brooklyn lost 14 of their first 16 games in 2026. They were able to break a 7-game losing streak in Salt Lake City, but a dry January saw Brooklyn back near the Eastern Conference basement.

It wasn’t a flashy affair in Utah, as the Nets and Jazz each entered with 34 losses. Lauri Markkanen didn’t suit up for the hosts after playing on back-to-back nights earlier in the week. Michael Porter Jr. missed the game for personal reasons after scoring 38 in his return to Denver the night before. 

Still, the game was an entertaining one as the Jazz kept within reach. The arena was full for the Friday night matchup despite the two bottom-dwelling teams featured. Part of the draw was Nets rookie Egor Dëmin, making his return to the Beehive State after starring as a freshman at BYU.

Dëmin put together his best professional performance in Utah’s capitol. He set career highs with 25 points and 10 rebounds to record his 1st double-double, also setting an NBA rookie record with 34 consecutive games with a made three pointer.

The Russian rookie was phenomenal from start to finish, hitting 6 threes, keeping the ball moving, crashing the boards, and even throwing down a delightful dunk. While his 3-pointer streak came to an end on Sunday in Detroit, he has shown tremendous potential as a young sharpshooter who can contribute in all aspects of the game.

Dëmin wasn’t the only Nets rookie to showcase their skills last Friday. Making his 6th NBA start was Danny Wolf, who came up with 14 points and 5 boards. Starting for the 2nd time in his career was Nolan Traoré, who brought great energy despite his shot not quite falling (6 assists and 2 blocks).

The other Nets to score in double figures were Cam Thomas with 21 and Day’ron Sharpe with 16. Thomas provided 14 straight points for Brooklyn to help them seize control, also finishing with 4 assists. Sharpe pulled down 9 rebounds, including a game-high 3 offensive boards.

Jazz youngsters also showed off for the home crowd, led by third-year guard Keyonte George’s 26 points and 7 assists. Fellow third-year Brice Sensabaugh added 18 off the bench, second-years Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier scored 14 and 10, respectively, and prized rookie Ace Bailey scored 12 with a pair of rebounds and steals.

Still, despite a wealth of young talent, the Jazz have had a hard time breaking out of mediocrity. This year it’s in part due to Walker Kessler’s season ending surgery, but even with their many lottery picks they sit well out of reach of the Western Conference play-in.

Finishing with the worst record in the league guarantees a draft pick no lower than 5th overall, and the three worst teams will each have a 14% chance of picking 1st overall. Following Monday’s games, Brooklyn’s record sat at 13-35, level with Washington and ahead of only the Pacers (13-37), Pelicans (13-39), and Kings (12-39).

While they’re not likely to ensure a top-5 pick, the trajectory of Brooklyn’s rookies and arsenal of future selections makes the future quite promising. Perhaps the most interesting moments of the Nets season will come this week with the NBA’s trade deadline.

All moves will be final at 3pm on Thursday, February 5, and it may include some high profile names like Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden. The Nets have some valuable players to offer in Michael Porter Jr., Nic Claxton, Day’ron Sharpe, and Cam Thomas, as well as a NBA-best 10 tradable 1st round picks. 

Should the Nets sell at the deadline they are sure to remain in contention for a top pick, but even if they use their assets to make a splash they’ll be in a great position moving forward.

Nets Turn Kids Day into Full-On Playground

BQE Admin on January 15, 2026

Kids Day at the Barclays Center was a riveting success, full of dancing, performances, and fun! (Photos: Brooklyn Nets)

Michael Porter Jr. Leads Brooklyn Past Nuggets

By Christian Spencer

The Brooklyn Nets’ outreach to young fans centers on community engagement designed to put Brooklyn kids at the forefront of the game-day experience.

The Nets earned a 127–115 win over the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 4, the team’s first home game of the new year.

But the Kids Day matchup at Barclays Center—broadcast on the YES Network at 3 p.m.—was part of a broader effort that extended beyond the final score.

“The Nets Kids Games are one of many touchpoints—alongside digital content, community programs, and in-arena experiences—designed to help young fans feel connected to the team,” said Andrew Karson, executive vice president of marketing for Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment.

“Kids respond to what feels current and authentic, so staying culturally relevant and listening to how they engage is key to building long-term relationships.”

The first 5,000 children through the doors received Kids Day giveaways, including kid-friendly keepsakes.

The first few thousand kids through the doors got “blind box” giveaways!

Inside the concourse, families had access to select concession items—pretzels, popcorn, and soft drinks—priced at $5, lower than the usual cost at NBA games.

Compared with the New York Knicks, whose fan base is long established, the Nets continue to focus on localized engagement.

That includes school-based programming tied to science and technology education, literacy initiatives such as Read Across Brooklyn, and recurring park and neighborhood events in communities including Bedford-Stuyvesant.

“By meeting families and youth where they are and authentically reflecting Brooklyn’s many cultures, we look to cultivate meaningful connections that extend well beyond game day,” Karson said.

Kids Day programming also put young fans at the center of the entertainment. Youth performers appeared during halftime and in-game breaks, and a kid reporter joined the broadcast.

Performances featured kids dance teams and a kid reporter!

“When families experience moments together at Kids Days, Practice in the Park, or community events, those moments become part of their history with family and friends,” Karson said. “Our goal is for today’s young fans to one day return with families of their own, carrying that sense of connection and tradition forward across generations.”

Beyond the Barclays, the Nets extend their reach through programs like NETSTEM, a supplemental STEM curriculum for elementary and middle school students, and Brooklyn Basketball, a joint youth program with the New York Liberty.

Across the street, a combine was held at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center.

“Even for kids who don’t pursue the sport long-term, the memories they create, the lessons learned and the relationships they form will endure,” Karson said.

These programs are designed to meet kids at every stage. At the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center, after-school sessions for boys and girls ages 6–17 provide both basketball training and mentorship.

Each experience focuses on building confidence, teamwork, leadership, and a sense of belonging.

“This layered approach allows kids to grow with us, develop life skills along the way, and deepen their connection to the Nets and Liberty over time,” Karson said.

The team is also heavy on its digital content and interactive experiences, bringing young fans closer to Nets experience.

“By sharing behind-the-scenes access and telling connective stories on their favorite platforms, we’re able to spark early connections that can mature into long-term fandom,” Karson said, describing the team’s outreach across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

During the Kids Day game, the Nets were also promoting Michael Porter Jr. as a candidate for the upcoming All-Star Game, with many young fans already familiar with him through TikTok and Instagram, including his presence alongside rapper girlfriend Ice Spice.

MPJ’s star power is resonating with younger audiences, and with the Nets developing their young players and building momentum under head coach Jordi Fernández, the Kids Day celebration reflected learning, enthusiasm, and creativity.

Johnnies Down Bluejays

BQE Admin on January 15, 2026

Best shooting night of the year gives the Red Storm a big road win over Creighton

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

The St. John’s Red Storm picked up vital BIG EAST wins on the road last week, defeating the Butler Bulldogs in Indianapolis before taking down the Creighton Bluejays in Omaha. Coming off a brutal loss to Providence, Rick Pitino and his team are looking to reestablish themselves and catch fire for an important stretch of conference play.

The win in Nebraska was done by way of aerial assault, playmaking, and rebounding. The Red Storm knocked down 12 threes and won both the assist and rebounding battles.

Seven of the St. John’s three-pointers came off the bench, with Lefteris Liotopoulos shooting 5/8 from downtown and Dylan Darling hitting 2/4. The Red Storm finished with 52.2% shooting from deep, by far their best mark in what’s been a relatively rough season from the floor.

For Liotopoulos, the past few BIG EAST matchups have been a good opportunity to earn important minutes in the rotation. The Sophomore out of Greece recorded his second double-digit scoring performance of the year on January 6 at Butler (10 points, matching Dec. 13 vs Iona) before using his sharpshooting to set a career high with 17 against the Bluejays in Omaha.

The back-to-back conference wins are just the beginning if St. John’s wants to steady a rocking ship. The #4 UConn Huskies are going to be very difficult to catch, already 6-0 in BIG EAST play and in order to secure a tournament bid they’ll need to finish near the top of a competitive conference.

Following Tuesday’s matchup with Marquette the next two contests for the Red Storm are on the road against 2nd place Villanova on Saturday and next Tuesday at MSG against 3rd place Seton Hall, who broke into the nation’s Top 25 this week.

“After the loss [to Providence] we gathered together and said, ‘we’re not going to lose anymore,’” said Liotopoulos following the win over Creighton. “We were great in practice, aggressive with a lot of energy and that translated on the court.”

The goal is set, and now it’s time for the Red Storm to deliver. Can they start the transformation of MSG back into the fortress it was last season, and can they do it in emphatic fashion against the rival Pirates?

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