Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Alex Caruso

How Alex Caruso built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Alex Caruso is an American professional basketball player currently with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He played college basketball at Texas A&M, where he earned all-SEC honors. In the NBA, he won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. More recently, while playing with the Chicago Bulls, he was selected for the NBA all-defensive teams in 2023 and 2024, establishing himself as a prominent defensive player.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 23, 2016: Signed with Oklahoma City Thunder

On September 23, 2016, Alex Caruso signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder after going undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft.

2016: All-SEC Honors

In 2016, Alex Caruso earned second-team all-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors while playing college basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies.

July 13, 2017: Signed Two-Way Contract with Lakers

On July 13, 2017, after performing well in the NBA Summer League, Alex Caruso signed the Lakers' first two-way contract, becoming the first player to go directly from the D-League to the NBA via such a contract.

October 19, 2017: NBA Debut

On October 19, 2017, Alex Caruso made his NBA debut against the Los Angeles Clippers, recording two points, two assists, and one rebound in 12 minutes of play during a 108–92 loss.

2018: Signed Another Two-Way Contract

After a successful showing in the 2018 NBA Summer League, Alex Caruso signed another two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

March 6, 2019: Season-High Performance

On March 6, 2019, Alex Caruso recorded a season-high 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists in a 99–115 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

April 7, 2019: Career-High Assists

On April 7, 2019, with LeBron James absent, Alex Caruso scored 18 points and achieved a career-high 11 assists in a 113–109 home win over the Utah Jazz.

July 6, 2019: Signed Two-Year Contract with Lakers

On July 6, 2019, Alex Caruso signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $5.5 million.

October 11, 2020: Won NBA Championship

On October 11, 2020, Alex Caruso won his first NBA championship with the Lakers, who defeated the Miami Heat in six games. Caruso started the clinching game of the NBA Finals.

2020: NBA Championship

In 2020, Alex Caruso won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.

August 10, 2021: Signed with Chicago Bulls

On August 10, 2021, Alex Caruso signed a four-year, $37 million contract with the Chicago Bulls and chose to wear number 6 because his usual number 4 was retired in honor of Jerry Sloan.

October 27, 2023: Game-Winning Performance

On October 27, 2023, Alex Caruso recorded 13 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block, and made a game-winning three-pointer in a 104–103 overtime win over the Toronto Raptors.

2023: Named to NBA All-Defensive First Team

At the end of the 2023 season, Alex Caruso was named for the first time to the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

2023: All-Defensive Team Selection

In 2023, Alex Caruso earned a selection to the NBA All-Defensive Team as a member of the Chicago Bulls.

June 21, 2024: Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder

On June 21, 2024, Alex Caruso was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey, reuniting him with Mark Daigneault, who coached him during his time with the Oklahoma City Blue.