The Bald Mamba has had a notable journey through high school, college, and somewhat young NBA career. He was born on February 28, 1994 in College Station, Texas.
Alex Caruso has played five seasons in the NVA for two teams and he’s made the playoffs three times.
Alex Caruso has two sisters and a father who played for Creighton. He plays guard/forward in the NBA and comes in at 6’5” in height. Caruso earned second-team all SEC honors as a senior at Texas A&M in 2016.
High School Career
Alex Caruso attended A&M Consolidated High School, where he played basketball as a point guard. A natural athlete, he showcased exceptional skills on the court and was named the TABC All-Regional and All-State teams in his senior year.
He was also a two-time All-District 14-5A selection and made it to the All-Region III-5A team. His impressive high school career earned him a spot at Texas A&M University.
College Career
His defensive play put him in the spotlight at Texas A&M where he played four seasons for the Aggies. Caruso set the school record for both career assists at 649 and steals at 276.
He earned All-SEC defensive honors in both his junior and senior season and his entire college career was marked by a steady performance on both offense and defense. He’s known for being a reliable player on both sides of the ball that consistently shows up each game.
Pro Career
Oklahoma City Blue (G-League) – 2016-2017
Caruso went undrafted in 2016 but he joined the 76ers G-League team, the Oklahoma City Blue. He played there for a year to develop his skills.
Los Angeles Lakers – 2017-2021
After the G-League Caruso signed a two-way contract with the Lakers in 2017. He split his time between the Los Angeles and South Bay Lakers but he earned a spot on the roster.
He was always known in LA for his defensive play and hustle and his personality earned him the title of “Bald Mamba” after Kobe Bryant. In the 2019-2020 season, Caruso helped lead the Lakers to their 17th NBA Championship playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Caruso helped beat the Miami Heat in six games where he started the sixth game to help seal the deal for the Lakers. After that season he became an unrestricted free agent.
Chicago Bulls – 2021-present
In the summer of 2021, Caruso signed a four-year, $37 million contract with the Chicago Bulls, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his career. With the Bulls, Caruso has continued to showcase his excellent defensive skills and has become a key contributor to the team.
He’s consistently averaged around six points per game with one steal and 2-3 assists.
Alex Caruso Career Stats
Caruso is known for being a steady producer and reliable guard that puts up consistent numbers game after game. While you can’t rely on him to put up 20+ on any given night, he allows his defense and basketball IQ to lead his teams towards wins.
- Games played: 190 (started 65)
- PPG: 5.9
- APG: 2.8
- RPG: 2.1
- SPG: 1.1
- FG%: 43.4%
- 3PT%: 35.5%
- FT%: 77.3%
While these stats may not seem eye-popping, it’s essential to understand that Caruso’s impact on the game goes beyond the numbers. His relentless hustle, lockdown defense, and selfless play make him a crucial asset to any team he’s a part of.
On January 21, 2022, Caruso was injured in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He was fouled by Grayson Allen which led to Allen getting ejected from the game. The next day the team discovered that he had fractured his right wrist and would miss 6-8 weeks for surgery.
Quick Facts about Alex Caruso
Some facts about the Bald Mamba that go a little bit beyond basketball are:
- Alex Caruso’s father is current the Associate Athletric Director for Game Management at Texas A&M University.
- Caruso is known for a pretty impressive vertical leap for being one of the shorter players in the NBA. His leap measures at 44-inches which has led to a pretty sweet highlight reel.
- Caruso is known for his hard work ethic and humble approach to the game. While he might not be the centerpiece of the teams he plays for, he ensures that he spends his minutes helping his team win games.
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