BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Two-time NBA champion and former Texas A&M standout Alex Caruso returned home to the Brazos Valley on Monday for the third annual Alex Caruso Foundation Charity Golf Tournament at Traditions Club.
For the A&M Consolidated graduate, the annual event is rooted in giving back to the community that shaped him, with proceeds directly benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Brazos Valley — an organization Caruso attended growing up.
“When you have some type of success in life and you’re doing well, it’s easy to kind of get caught up in the moment and forget where you are and the people that helped you get there,” Caruso said. “For me, I just wanted to make sure that I remembered the community that poured into me to help me get to the places that I am.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Brazos Valley serves roughly 150 to 175 children daily, serving 20,000 meals annually across more than 15 youth-centered programs. Tournament proceeds will help fund facility enhancements, including a new playground and an expanded library, alongside academic support services.
“They’re looking to put in a new playground, expand their library — the library is too small, they’ve got too many books, too many kids,” Caruso said. “Some of the profits and proceeds from this will go towards that, and some other programs that they have helping kids learn about how to apply for college, study habits, and help with homework during the week, even down to getting a hot meal every day.”
### Keeping tabs on Aggieland hoops
Caruso’s return to Aggieland also gave him an opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces around Texas A&M basketball. Staff members Darby Rich, Kyle Keller, and Mitch Cole all played key roles in Caruso’s collegiate career in College Station.
“Coach Keller was the one who recruited me out of high school, so I’ll forever have a lifelong relationship with him,” Caruso said. “Darby was one of the few people that probably saw what I could become before I did, so he helped push me there. And Mitch Cole has just been a great steady force for us... helping me with my shot a lot when I was here.”
Caruso also praised the direction of the program under head coach Bucky McMillan after the Aggies reached the NCAA Tournament in year one of the fast-paced “Bucky Ball” system.
“Tremendous first season for him, from going to not having a team to making an NCAA tournament. I think they blew expectations out of the water,” Caruso said. “It would have been a lot of fun to play in that kind of system... my chaotic play style would have fit well in there.”
Caruso recently worked out with incoming Texas A&M guard commit Chase Richardson.
“Chase is a good guy, great player,” Caruso noted. “As a basketball player, I think he can do a lot of things. He’s an athletic guard, obviously he’s going to be able to get downhill and make plays. Shot the ball really well when we worked out, so that’s exciting for me to see... I’m excited to see him play at A&M.”
### Eyeing another title run in Oklahoma City
Looking ahead to his upcoming NBA campaign with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Caruso expressed high expectations for the young, ascending roster as training camp approaches.
“New season, clean slate for everybody. The big mantra for us is zero and zero,” Caruso said. “We have a really good team. We have a chance to win a championship, in my opinion. So I’m excited to get back with the guys and kind of just start that journey together, because it is a marathon of a season.”
When asked about the Thunder’s vibrant locker room dynamic, Caruso said the team’s balance of unique personalities fuels its chemistry.
“The beautiful thing about our team is that everyone is individually themselves, and we kind of let that happen,” Caruso said. “I think that’s why we have such great chemistry — everyone is very accepting of each other, but then also able to push each other whenever that button needs to be pushed.”
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