Justin Gayle, a 28-year-old New York Knicks fan, was one of many lined up outside the popular sneaker store Snipes in East Harlem on Oct. 9, waiting to meet Knicks point guard Jose Alvarado. The event began at 4 p.m., but Gayle was outside three and a half hours early to grab the first spot in line.
Alvarado, who helped the Knicks win the 2026 NBA championship, was born and raised in Brooklyn and went to Christ the King High School in Queens. For the fans lined up along Third Avenue, he’s become something New York basketball rarely produces: a hometown kid on the hometown championship team.
“He’s a hometown hero; he’s officially from New York,” Gayle said. “So it’s like, I see him growing up, I see myself, and this inspires you. If he could do it, I could do it.”
Cynthia Reyes, a New York high school student who skipped school for the event, said Alvarado’s dual identity drew her to the line. He plays point guard for Puerto Rico’s national team and led them to the 2024 Paris Olympics with an MVP performance in the qualifying tournament. After the Knicks won the 2026 NBA championship in June, Alvarado returned to Puerto Rico and received the Governor’s Medal.
“Growing up, I feel like I personally never saw a lot of Puerto Rican representation,” Reyes said. “He’s the only Knick from the city too. It’s not only Puerto Rican rep, it’s New York City rep, he represents us as an entire city.”
The meet-and-greet at Snipes was delayed because Alvarado arrived late, but it didn’t dim the fans’ spirit. They chanted, passed basketballs, and Father Knickerbocker, the team’s namesake, made an appearance, walking the sidewalk to keep people entertained.
“I don’t mind if the players are late,” said sports influencer Conor Hayden. “There’s always Knicks fans, the best people, to meet and talk with while in line.”
Hayden has attended many of Alvarado’s events and calls him one of his favorite NBA players. He got a signed hat at the meet-and-greet, and his friend, Chuck Blair, was just as excited.
“To do things like this, it’s giving back, it’s showing the love,” Blair said. “It’s not like you buy a ticket to come here, it’s just about our time. You know, he’s making time to be here, we’re making the time. It just means a lot.”