Alex Caruso, former Texas A&M guard, voted to NBA All-Defensive first team

Alex Caruso was one of the best defenders in the SEC in 2015, earning him a spot on the All-SEC Defensive Team. Eight years later, Caruso is back among the best of the best.

The undrafted guard out of Texas A&M was one of 5 players named to the 2023 NBA All-Defensive first team Tuesday, joining Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr., Cleveland’s Evan Mobley and Milwaukee’s Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez.

This is the first time Caruso has been named an All-NBA player.

The 2022-23 Kia NBA All-Defensive First Team!

▪️ Alex Caruso (@chicagobulls)
▪️ Jrue Holiday (@Bucks)
▪️ Jaren Jackson Jr. (@memgrizz)
▪️ Brook Lopez (@Bucks)
▪️ Evan Mobley (@cavs)@Kia | #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/eqAxbqxCtV

— NBA (@NBA) May 9, 2023

Caruso earned every bit of his 50 1st-team votes and 25 2nd-team votes. He led the league in deflections per 36 minutes with 5.2 while playing a career high 67 games. During that stretch, Caruso averaged 1.7 steals per game and was the catalyst for a Bulls team that finished the season with the 5th best defensive rating in the league.

Caruso said the following earlier in the season after the Bulls beat the Toronto Raptors in the play-in tournament, via NBC Sports.

“There are a lot of good defenders in the league. It’s a tough list to make, especially being a guard and only four spots,” Caruso said. “But I think I am (worthy).”

Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.