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 a professional basketball player currently playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA. He played college basketball at Texas A&M, earning All-SEC honors. He's a two-time NBA champion, winning titles with the Lakers in 2020 and the Thunder in 2025. Caruso is recognized as a versatile and elite defender, capable of guarding multiple positions and trusted with key defensive assignments. He received two All-Defensive Team selections while playing for the Chicago Bulls in 2023 and 2024.

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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.

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

On July 13, 2017, Alex Caruso was signed to the Lakers' first two-way contract after productive games in the 2017 NBA Summer League. He became the first player to go directly from the D-League (now G League) to the NBA via two-way 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 a 108–92 loss.

2018: Signed Another Two-Way Contract

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

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 missing, Alex Caruso scored 18 points with a career-high 11 assists in a 113–109 home win over the Utah Jazz.

July 6, 2019: Signed Contract with Lakers

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

October 11, 2020: Won First NBA Championship

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

2020: NBA Championship with Lakers

In 2020, Alex Caruso won his first NBA championship with the 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.

October 27, 2023: Game-Winning Shot

On October 27, 2023, Alex Caruso had 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: 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 an All-Defensive Team selection 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 coach Mark Daigneault.

2024: All-Defensive Team Selection

In 2024, Alex Caruso earned an All-Defensive Team selection as a member of the Chicago Bulls.

2025: NBA Championship with Thunder

In 2025, Alex Caruso won his second NBA championship with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2025: NBA Championship

In his first season with the team, Caruso earned his second-career NBA championship after winning the 2025 NBA Finals in seven games over the Indiana Pacers.