Caribbean Heritage
in the NBA Finals
New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs
Both benches. Both teams.
The 2026 NBA Finals tip off with five players carrying Caribbean heritage — representing the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. This is National Caribbean-American Heritage Month in motion: not a statistic, but a living presence on the biggest stage in basketball.
We are a water people. The Caribbean Sea unites us — and tonight it echoes in an arena.
Caribbean on the Court
Karl-Anthony
Towns
Dominican heritage
His late mother, Jacqueline Cruz, was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. Towns has represented the Dominican national team in international competition since he was 15 years old — a commitment he has honored publicly and consistently throughout his career.
Tonight he plays in the NBA Finals in a city home to more than 700,000 Dominican Americans. The crowd in Madison Square Garden carries the island with it.
#ReppinCaribbean
José
Alvarado
Puerto Rican heritage
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. His father is Puerto Rican. Alvarado represents Puerto Rico in FIBA international competition — a commitment that goes beyond the court.
Traded to the Knicks at the deadline, he came home. Now he is here, one step from a championship, in the city where he grew up.
#ReppinCaribbean
Caribbean on the Court
Julian
Champagnie
Jamaican heritage
His father, Ranford Champagnie, immigrated from Jamaica — attending Campion College before coming to the United States, where he played soccer at St. John's University and later coached. Julian and his brother Justin (Washington Wizards) both carry that Jamaican heritage forward.
Undrafted in 2022. Cut by his first team. Julian Champagnie is starting in the NBA Finals in 2026.
#ReppinCaribbean
Carter
Bryant
Puerto Rican heritage
His mother, Sabrina Torres, carries Puerto Rican roots. His grandfather Mike "Doc" Torres played basketball professionally in Puerto Rico. Carter has said publicly that representing his Latino community means everything to him.
#ReppinCaribbean
David Jones
García
Dominican heritage
Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. On the Spurs registered roster. David Jones García qualifies under the CACCE-GWAN definition of the Caribbean — we are watching this space. This profile will be updated if he plays or the Spurs win the championship.
Watch this space
National Caribbean-American Heritage Month
is not just a calendar entry.
It is a living, breathing presence — on the court, in the city, in the game. Five players. Three countries. Two teams. One Finals. Walk Good.