Diocesan News

Knicks, Spurs at NBA Finals: A Look at Local Players From Brooklyn, Queens Catholic Schools

Catholic education and school sports helped shaped the careers basketball fans will see on the court during the NBA Finals.

As the New York Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs in a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals (Spurs won 4-1), a player on each team calls the Diocese of Brooklyn home.

Jose Alvarado plays for the New York Knicks. (Photos: Getty Images)

For the Knicks, Jose Alvarado played Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) hoops for St. Anne’s, Flushing, before attending Christ the King H.S., Middle Village.

Julian Champagnie plays for the San Antonio Spurs.

For the Spurs, Julian Champagnie began his hoops career in CYO for Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bensonhurst; moved on to Bishop Loughlin H.S., Fort Greene; and then starred for St. John’s University, Jamaica.