Former Texas A&M basketball star Alex Caruso nets huge payday after trade to Oklahoma City Thunder

Texas A&M basketball hasn’t done a great job of putting high-end talent in the NBA over recent years. The most notable Aggie in the league over the past decade or so is DeAndre Jordan, who was a one-and-done in College Station and is a multiple time all-star in the Association.

Even though the Ags are not exactly churning out lottery picks, though, there are a few guys that have come through College Station and fought their way onto NBA rosters. During Buzz Williams’s time in Aggieland, a guy like Quenton Jackson exemplifies this perfectly.

Even more so than Quenton, though is Alex Caruso. The College Station native who was a four-year player for the Aggies has become one of the more well-known role players around the league for several reasons.

His high-flying athleticism, which can catch those unfamiliar with his game by surprise, was the stuff of numerous highlight reels, especially during his time with the Lakers. He’s still a piece that LA fans regret moving on from, as they eventually let him go to the Chicago Bulls.

What he’s become more famous for, however, is his defensive prowess. In a league that has become more and more dominated by the three-point shot, Caruso has made a name for himself as one of the premier perimeter defenders in the entire NBA, and one of the most active defenders in general.

His presence on this year’s edition of the Oklahoma City Thunder has helped them along massively to their current status as the top seed in the Western Conference, and he looks to be a key piece in a deep playoff run. The OKC front office clearly values his contributions, as they have now locked him up to a long-term deal that will net him over $80 million dollars.

That’s huge for Caruso— and Aggie basketball, of course. This means that OKC— a franchise that many view as an emerging power— views him as an integral piece going forward into their title window. The Thunder will have to make some tough decisions soon on which of their uber-young roster to let walk, but it’s clear that they want the former Aggie star in OKC for the long term.

Congratulations, Alex! Here’s wishing you all the best, except when you play the Mavericks. I hope you lose all of those games one hundred to zero.