Alex Caruso

Born February 28, 1994, Alex Michael Caruso is a modern-era American professional basketball player, renowned and respected for his diverse set of skills. Known as “Bald Mamba” or “Carushow,” he currently plays for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Born and raised in College Station, Texas, Caruso developed his passion for basketball during his teenage years at A&M Consolidated High School. Under the tutelage of coaches Rusty Segler and Rick German, he showcased triumphant high school performances. As a senior, he averaged 18 points and nine rebounds per game, earning him several honors, including TABC All-Regional, All-State, TABC All-Star and district MVP.

For Caruso, his time at Texas A&M University marked a significant milestone where he built the groundwork of his professional athletic career. Over four years, he played 137 games for the Texas A&M Aggies, averaging eight points, 4.7 assists, and 2.02 steals per game. By his season’s end, Caruso led the Aggies to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and earned SEC All-Defensive Team and second-team All-SEC honors. Moreover, he broke records, becoming the school’s all-time leader in assists with 649 and steals with 276, surpassing David Edwards.

Despite an impressive run at Texas A&M, Caruso did not get selected in the 2016 NBA draft. Not discouraged, Caruso spent the summer playing for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2016 NBA Summer League. He later signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder in September 2016. Unfortunately, his stint with the Thunder was short-lived as he was waived off in October of the same year and acquired by the NBA Development League team, Oklahoma City Blue.

In 2017, Caruso’s skill caught the attention of the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA Summer League. With Caruso at the helm, replacing the injured Lonzo Ball, the team emerged victorious. The Lakers were appreciative of Caruso’s performance, signing him on July 13 to the Lakers’ first two-way contract. This achievement elevated Caruso into the pages of NBA history as the first player to transition directly from the D-League to the NBA via a two-way contract. Caruso’s rookie season with the Lakers saw him make his NBA debut against the Los Angeles Clippers, wherein he recorded two points, two assists, and one rebound.

Over the next two years, Caruso flourished as a Laker. In 2018, after successful showings in the NBA Summer League, Caruso signed another two-way contract with the team. During his time with the Lakers, Caruso achieved multiple career highs, peaking at 32 points in a victorious game against the Clippers. In addition, he joined LeBron James in achieving a 30+ point, 10+ rebound, 5+ assist game, the only two Lakers to do so that season.

Continuing his stint with the Lakers in 2019, Caruso signed an extended two-year contract worth $5.5 million. The following year, Caruso won his first NBA Championship with the Lakers on October 11, 2020. This victory against the Miami Heat reaffirmed his status as an influential player within the NBA.

Moving on from the Lakers, Caruso became an unrestricted free agent after the 2020–21 season. In August 2021, he inked a four-year contract worth $37 million with the Chicago Bulls. His time with the Bulls has not been without challenges. In January 2022, Caruso experienced a significant setback, fracturing his right wrist after a foul by Grayson Allen during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The incident led to his surgery and subsequently, six-to-eight weeks on the sidelines.

Despite the injury, Caruso’s career continued its upward trajectory, earning him a spot on the NBA All-Defensive First Team for the first time. In a recent game in October 2023, Caruso set the court ablaze with thirteen points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block alongside a game-winning three-pointer in a 104–103 overtime win against the Toronto Raptors.

Off the court, Caruso maintains a close relationship with his family, including two sisters. His father, a four-year player at Creighton, served as an associate athletic director at Texas A&M. Growing up around the A&M program and spending many seasons as a ball boy for the Aggies, helped shape Caruso into the formidable player he is today.

As a student at Texas A&M, Caruso pursued a major in sports management. However, his life as a professional athlete hasn’t been without controversy. On June 22, 2021, he experienced a legal hiccup when he was arrested at Easterwood Airport in College Station, Texas, for residual marijuana found in a grinder. Despite the incident, Caruso continues to push forward, excelling on the court, leaving an indelible mark in the world of NBA.