Georgia Tech guard Jose Alvarado was in a hurry to leave McCamish Pavilion on Tuesday night after the Yellow Jackets’ win over Virginia Tech for a most appreciable reason – his firstborn child was on the way.
“She’s going to give birth either (Tuesday night) or (Wednesday),” coach Josh Pastner said following the game of Alvarado’s girlfriend, Flor Castillo. “So Jose will become a father.”
Alvarado and Castillo were expecting a girl, whom they planned to name Nasanin, or “Naz” for short. Pastner said that Alvarado has been excited as the day has approached. Alvarado and Castillo have shared photos of the pregnancy through social media.
On Monday, Castillo was experiencing contractions, Pastner said, which led him to bend a team rule. Where team members normally have to have their phones off during a video session, Pastner permitted Alvarado to keep his phone on in case of an emergency. During practice, strength coach Dan Taylor had Alvarado’s phone with him in case of a call.
Despite the impending arrival, Pastner said that Castillo and Alvarado both wanted for him to play against the Hokies on Tuesday. So, did Alvarado’s coach.
“We were in agreement – Jose, myself and (Castillo) – that you can only have the baby after the Virginia Tech game or the next day, and that’s it,” Pastner said.
Pastner said he also spoke directly to Castillo’s baby bump, sharing the same instructions with Nasanin.
“She’s a great listener,” Pastner said. “So I said, ‘Listen, your daddy’s very hardheaded, so listen to coach here. Stay in until after the game.’”
In what figured to be Alvarado’s final game before becoming a father – Tech’s next game is Saturday at Pittsburgh – he scored 20 points and had six assists, three rebounds, two steals and one turnover. He played with his typical high-energy and engaging style. After a clever steal and assist for a Tech basket and foul, he marched along the sideline, somewhat resembling a drum major.
“I was just feeling it,” Alvarado said. “I black out on the court, so I can’t really explain how it goes.”
A team leader since his freshman season, he’ll soon have a new role to play. Pastner said he expects that his point guard will be well-suited to fatherhood.
“I think this experience has really matured him,” Pastner said. “Because it’s forced him to really grow up in a hurry as you’re bringing in another human being into the world.
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