Last Updated on October 12, 2026 by Orlando Bloom

Jose Alvarado is an American professional basketball player known for his defensive intensity, determination and energetic performances in the NBA. Born on April 12, 1998, in Brooklyn, New York, Alvarado has Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage and represents Puerto Rico in international basketball. After beginning his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans, he joined the New York Knicks in February 2026 and helped the team win the 2026 NBA championship.
Beyond his basketball achievements, Jose Alvarado’s family has played an important role in his life. His longtime partner, Flor Castillo, has supported him throughout his professional journey, and together they have three children: Nazanin, Brooklyn and Romeo Jett. His parents, Jose Alvarado Sr. and Odilia Martinez, helped shape his competitive personality, while his late grandmother, Diana Martinez, was one of his greatest inspirations.
Jose Alvarado’s Girlfriend: Who Is Flor Castillo?
Jose Alvarado’s longtime girlfriend and fiancée is Flor Castillo. The couple have been together for several years and have built a family while Alvarado has developed his professional basketball career.
Flor Castillo became publicly known to basketball fans during Alvarado’s college years at Georgia Tech. In May 2021, the university’s athletics department published an article identifying her as his girlfriend and confirming that they were raising their daughter, Nazanin, together.
As his career progressed, the couple continued supporting one another through important personal and professional milestones. Flor has accompanied Alvarado to basketball events, including public appearances with their children during his time with the New Orleans Pelicans.
In 2024, photographs published by the Pelicans showed Alvarado celebrating his contract extension alongside Flor and their daughters.
The couple’s relationship has also attracted attention through their social media appearances. Flor has publicly praised Alvarado’s dedication to fatherhood, including sharing affectionate messages celebrating his role as a parent.
In June 2026, Town & Country described Flor as Alvarado’s longtime partner and reported that the couple had not publicly confirmed being married. She has also been identified as his fiancée in basketball coverage.
As of now, there is no verified public announcement confirming that Jose Alvarado and Flor Castillo have married.
Jose Alvarado’s Children: Meet His Two Daughters and Son
Jose Alvarado has three biological children with Flor Castillo: two daughters named Nazanin and Brooklyn, and a son named Romeo Jett Alvarado.
He also has a stepdaughter, Aliyah Mecord, whom Andscape identified as part of his family in a December 2023 interview.
Fatherhood has become one of the most meaningful aspects of Alvarado’s life. The basketball player has repeatedly spoken about wanting to provide his children with opportunities and experiences that were not always available during his own childhood.
Nazanin Alvarado – Jose Alvarado’s First Daughter
Nazanin, affectionately called “Naz,” is Jose Alvarado’s first daughter with Flor Castillo. She was born in February 2020, while Alvarado was playing college basketball at Georgia Tech.
Her arrival marked an important turning point in his personal life. At the time, Alvarado was balancing college basketball, academic responsibilities and his growing family.
In May 2021, Georgia Tech Athletics highlighted his responsibilities as a father while discussing his basketball achievements and university graduation.
Nazanin has appeared alongside her father at several basketball events, including New Orleans Pelicans games and public celebrations.
During the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend, Alvarado celebrated winning the Rising Stars MVP award with his daughters, creating a memorable family moment that was photographed by the Pelicans.
Brooklyn Alvarado – Jose Alvarado’s Second Daughter
Brooklyn is Jose Alvarado and Flor Castillo’s second daughter. She was born around 2022, joining her older sister Nazanin.
Her name also shares a connection with the New York borough where her father was born and raised.
Brooklyn has appeared with her parents and older sister at basketball-related events. In September 2024, the family attended a Pelicans media event following Alvarado’s contract extension.
In September 2026, Brooklyn and Nazanin became the subject of a lighthearted family story when Alvarado shared a video of them discussing their newborn brother’s name.
The sisters jokingly wanted their baby brother to be named after New York Knicks player OG Anunoby. Alvarado explained that their brother already had another name, but the girls continued defending their suggestion.
Romeo Jett Alvarado – Jose Alvarado’s Son
Romeo Jett Alvarado is Jose Alvarado and Flor Castillo’s third child and first son. He was born in September 2026.
The couple announced in May 2026 that they were expecting a baby boy, adding another child to their growing family.
On September 19, 2026, Alvarado publicly celebrated his son’s arrival through social media.
A few days later, on September 22, he revealed the baby’s name as Romeo Jett Alvarado.
The announcement followed the widely shared video in which his two daughters wanted to name their younger brother after OG Anunoby.
Romeo’s birth marked another personal milestone for Alvarado, arriving only months after his championship-winning season with the New York Knicks.
Aliyah Mecord – Jose Alvarado’s Stepdaughter
Jose Alvarado also has a stepdaughter named Aliyah Mecord.
In a December 2023 article published by Andscape, journalist Marc J. Spears reported that Alvarado had two young daughters with Flor Castillo and a 14-year-old stepdaughter, Aliyah Mecord.
Although there is relatively little additional public information about Aliyah’s personal life, the report establishes that she is part of Alvarado’s wider family.
Consequently, Alvarado’s family includes his three biological children with Flor and his publicly reported stepdaughter.
Jose Alvarado’s Parents: Meet Jose Alvarado Sr. and Odilia Martinez
Jose Alvarado was born to Jose Alvarado Sr. and Odilia Martinez in Brooklyn, New York.
His parents raised him in a working-class household, where financial responsibilities and everyday challenges helped shape his understanding of hard work.
Both parents made sacrifices to support their family, and their experiences contributed to the determination that became one of Alvarado’s defining characteristics on the basketball court.
Jose Alvarado Sr. – Jose Alvarado’s Father
Jose Alvarado Sr. is the father of the NBA player. He has Puerto Rican roots and has worked as an electrician and boxing trainer in New York.
Before becoming a trainer, Jose Sr. pursued boxing himself. According to a May 2021 Georgia Tech Athletics feature, he showed considerable promise as a boxer and came close to pursuing a professional career.
However, family responsibilities required him to prioritize earning a living instead of continuing toward professional boxing.
He later worked as a boxing trainer at Technique 2 Training, also known as T2T, in Brooklyn.
His boxing background significantly influenced his son’s sporting development. Through boxing, Jose Sr. helped teach Alvarado defensive movement, footwork, discipline and the importance of competing with determination.
These lessons translated naturally into basketball, where Alvarado became known for aggressive defensive pressure and his ability to steal possession from opposing players.
In July 2026, Jose Sr. discussed the emotional experience of watching his son help the New York Knicks win the NBA championship.
Following the victory, Alvarado gave his father several pieces of championship memorabilia, including his game uniform and sneakers. Jose Sr. described the moment as deeply emotional, reflecting their close relationship and the journey they had experienced together.
Odilia Martinez – Jose Alvarado’s Mother
Odilia Martinez is Jose Alvarado’s mother. She played an essential role in his upbringing and helped support the family during his childhood in Brooklyn.
According to reporting published by Zagsblog in January 2017, Odilia became a mother at a young age and worked at a bank while raising Jose.
Because both parents had employment responsibilities, Alvarado frequently spent time with his maternal grandmother, Diana Martinez, who lived nearby.
Odilia’s efforts to provide for her family helped instill a strong work ethic in her son.
Alvarado has remained appreciative of the sacrifices his family made while he was growing up. After reaching the NBA, he spoke about the emotional experience of receiving his first professional basketball paycheck and sharing that achievement with his mother.
Her support, combined with his father’s discipline, helped provide the foundation for his journey from New York youth basketball to the NBA.
Jose Alvarado’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Jose Alvarado has been reported to have two siblings: an older brother and a sister.
A July 2026 family profile published by Tuko described Alvarado as growing up alongside an older brother and a sister.
However, the identities and personal backgrounds of his siblings have not been extensively documented by major sports publications or official basketball sources.
Jose Alvarado’s Older Brother
Alvarado reportedly has an older brother who, unlike the NBA player, has maintained a life outside the public spotlight.
There is limited reliable information identifying his brother’s full name, occupation or personal achievements.
Although Alvarado frequently discusses his family upbringing, his public interviews have generally focused on his parents, grandmother, partner and children rather than providing detailed biographies of his siblings.
Jose Alvarado’s Sister
Alvarado has also been reported to have a sister.
Like his brother, she has not been a prominent subject of sports media coverage. Her name, age, education and occupation have not been reliably established through the sources reviewed.
The limited publicly available information suggests that Alvarado’s siblings have generally maintained their privacy despite his growing NBA profile.
Jose Alvarado’s Grandmother: The Special Influence of Diana Martinez
One of the most important people in Jose Alvarado’s life was his maternal grandmother, Diana Martinez.
During his childhood in Brooklyn, Diana helped care for him while his parents were working. She regularly spent time with him, assisted with everyday responsibilities and encouraged his sporting ambitions.
Their relationship became especially meaningful because Diana served as another parental figure during his upbringing.
In 2016, Diana died from stomach cancer at the age of 54.
Her death deeply affected Alvarado, who was still a high school basketball player preparing for his college career at Georgia Tech.
In a January 2017 interview with Zagsblog, Alvarado explained how his grandmother had inspired his competitive character and determination.
He honored her memory through tattoos, messages and other personal tributes, including a portrait tattoo placed near his heart.
Alvarado has credited his grandmother with helping shape his fearless approach to competition. Her influence remains a significant part of the story behind his basketball success.
Jose Alvarado’s Family Background and Puerto Rican Heritage
Jose Alvarado was born and raised in New York City, growing up in Brooklyn and Queens.
His family has Puerto Rican and Mexican roots, and Alvarado has proudly embraced his Latino heritage throughout his basketball career.
He attended Christ the King Regional High School in Queens, where he became one of New York City’s outstanding high school basketball players.
After graduating, he joined Georgia Tech, developing into one of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s most respected defensive guards.
In 2021, he helped Georgia Tech win the ACC tournament championship and was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
Despite going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Alvarado earned an opportunity with the New Orleans Pelicans and developed into a recognizable NBA player.
His defensive ability earned him the nickname “Grand Theft Alvarado,” reflecting his knack for surprising opponents and stealing the basketball.
In February 2026, he returned to his hometown by joining the New York Knicks, later becoming part of the franchise’s NBA championship-winning team.
Throughout his journey, Alvarado has regularly emphasized the importance of his upbringing, parents and children in motivating him to succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jose Alvarado’s Family
Who is Jose Alvarado’s girlfriend?
Jose Alvarado’s longtime girlfriend and fiancée is Flor Castillo. They have been together for several years and share three children.
Is Jose Alvarado married?
There is no publicly confirmed marriage between Jose Alvarado and Flor Castillo. She has been described as his fiancée and longtime partner.
How many children does Jose Alvarado have?
Jose Alvarado has three biological children with Flor Castillo: daughters Nazanin and Brooklyn, and a son named Romeo Jett, born in September 2026. He also has a publicly reported stepdaughter, Aliyah Mecord.
Who is Jose Alvarado’s first daughter?
His first daughter is Nazanin Alvarado, also known as Naz, who was born in February 2020.
What is Jose Alvarado’s son’s name?
His son’s name is Romeo Jett Alvarado. He was born in September 2026.
Who are Jose Alvarado’s parents?
His parents are Jose Alvarado Sr. and Odilia Martinez, who raised him in Brooklyn, New York.
Who is Jose Alvarado’s father?
Jose Alvarado Sr. is his father. He is a former boxer who has worked as an electrician and boxing trainer in Brooklyn.
Who is Jose Alvarado’s mother?
His mother is Odilia Martinez, who previously worked in banking and helped raise him in New York.
Does Jose Alvarado have siblings?
He has been reported to have two siblings, an older brother and a sister, although detailed information about them is limited.
Who was Jose Alvarado’s grandmother?
His maternal grandmother was Diana Martinez. She helped raise him during childhood and remained one of his greatest inspirations until her death in 2016.
Is Jose Alvarado Puerto Rican?
Yes. Jose Alvarado has Puerto Rican heritage and represents Puerto Rico internationally. He also has Mexican ancestry and was born in Brooklyn, New York.

Orlando Bloom is a sports journalist and analyst specializing in in-depth NBA coverage, tactical breakdowns, and advanced player analytics. With a passion for professional basketball, he covers everything from trade deadline maneuvers and Draft prospects to team strategies and league-wide trends. Combining detailed stat analysis with game context, Orlando delivers sharp insights and compelling stories for avid basketball fans and casual followers alike.
