Contemporary off a career-defining run to the NBA title, Alex Caruso traded his Thunder jersey for a Cane’s apron for a day, working a celebratory shift at a Elevating Cane’s in Oklahoma Metropolis to cap off one of the vital memorable weeks in franchise historical past.
Caruso, a veteran guard affectionately often known as “The Bald Mamba,” performed a pivotal function in serving to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder safe their first-ever NBA championship, delivering an 11-point, six-rebound, three-steal, two-block efficiency in Sport 7 of the NBA Finals. The Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 103–91 to shut out a exceptional postseason run for the league’s youngest group.
“This group was made up of second-round picks and free brokers initially of their careers and was pieced collectively meticulously,” Caruso mentioned through the occasion. “This has been a full-circle second for me. It’s going to take a while to sink in.”
The championship capped off a historic season for Oklahoma Metropolis, which gained an NBA-best 68 video games and earned the highest seed within the Western Convention. Caruso emerged as a gradual veteran presence throughout that run, elevating his play within the Finals with lockdown protection and well timed scoring.
He turned the primary participant in NBA historical past to document a number of 20-point video games in a Finals sequence after not reaching that mark as soon as through the common season. His performances in Video games 2 and 4 — each 20-plus level outings — helped swing momentum because the Thunder battled the equally title-hungry Pacers.
The second additionally marked a return to the place it began.
Caruso started his skilled profession in Oklahoma Metropolis in 2016 with the Thunder’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma Metropolis Blue. After stints with the Lakers and Bulls, he was traded again to OKC in June 2024. In 54 video games this season, he averaged 7.1 factors, 2.9 rebounds, and a couple of.5 assists on 44.6% taking pictures.
The 2016 NBA Draft was 9 years in the past at present
Undrafted Alex Caruso is the one 2 x Champion from this class pic.twitter.com/SUy40zs6Fn
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 23, 2025
From Parade Floats to Hen Fingers
With the Larry O’Brien Trophy secured and the parade route full, Caruso saved the celebration going by heading to a neighborhood Elevating Cane’s to serve followers — actually. The looks drew a crowd of greater than 450 individuals, together with his fiancée, former Large Brother star Haleigh Broucher.
He posed for photographs, delivered Field Combos on the counter, and even FaceTimed Elevating Cane’s founder Todd Graves through the shift. Caruso embraced the fanfare with the identical enthusiasm he brings to sport nights.
“Oklahoma Metropolis is again,” Caruso mentioned. “It’s been surreal driving via the town and downtown, seeing all the brand new issues. OKC is so particular – we’re turning into an enormous metropolis and it’s so thrilling.”
For Caruso, the occasion was greater than only a enjoyable look — it was one other chapter in a journey that has come full circle. Graves referred to as the go to a becoming option to have a good time a homegrown title.
“Alex and the group had an incredible season, and it’s been nice seeing them convey residence the group’s first NBA Championship for his or her followers and the state of Oklahoma,” Graves mentioned. “Alex is a formidable athlete and his vitality on the court docket is electrical. I’m a fan of the Bald Mamba.”
Championship Knowledge Six Years Later
Throughout a media session on the Cane’s location, Caruso mirrored on what separates this championship from the one he gained in 2020 with the Lakers.
“After I gained a championship with the Lakers, I used to be with Corridor of Famers and nonetheless attempting to determine it out,” he mentioned. “Six years later, I knew the solutions to the take a look at — and I picked it up and ran with it.”
He additionally credited the ambiance of the parade, saying the vitality was unmatched from begin to end.
“The parade had an amazing turnout — it was so loud,” Caruso mentioned. “It was a number of enjoyable and nice vitality. The speeches had been nice too!”
That pleasure was symbolic of how far the Thunder and their followers have come. The once-rebuilding franchise now sits atop the basketball world, and Caruso has change into a key piece of that story.
Over an hour earlier than Alex Caruso is ready to take part in a @raisingcanes occasion in Oklahoma Metropolis, there’s already a parking zone full of Thunder followers ready to see him. Plenty of pleasure after successful the championship. pic.twitter.com/PzyXU5OFVa
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) June 26, 2025
Polished by Daigneault, Embraced by OKC
Caruso spoke glowingly about his reference to Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, who additionally coached him throughout his time with the OKC Blue, and the way rapidly he was capable of combine into the locker room.
“It was comparatively straightforward to regulate to the group,” he mentioned. “I had the possibility to construct nice relationships with the fellows. On the court docket, we had been all targeted. It was a seamless transition.”
“Sharing on this accomplishment with Mark has been so candy,” Caruso added. “I’ve gotten to look at his evolution, and it’s cool that he is aware of me on a deeper stage than the opposite guys. He’s actually polished me up.”
Requested what he desires his legacy to be in Oklahoma Metropolis, Caruso didn’t hesitate.
“I would like individuals to recollect the sacrifice and energy I put in. I hope that doesn’t go unnoticed,” he mentioned. “The group has had the very best of highs and lowest of lows, and simply to have the ability to battle via the storm is wonderful. We gotta reset for the following three months after which get again to it.”
For now, Caruso is soaking in each second— not simply as a champion, however as somebody who helped convey a primary to a metropolis that has lengthy waited for it.
