photo courtesy of AP
Former Fresno State basketball player, NBA journeyman and even AND1 street basketball star Rafer Alston is now giving coaching a try.
Alston, who played at Fresno State from 1997-1998, was named the new head coach and athletic director at the Christian Life Center Academy according to the Fox 26 Houston affiliate on Tuesday.
The former point guard averaged 11 points and 7.3 assists per game in his lone season with Fresno State under Jerry Tarkanian. He was also playing for Steve Cleveland while at Fresno City College before playing for the Bulldogs.
He spent 11 years in the NBA and mostly bounced around the league, playing for the likes of Toronto, Houston, Orlando and recently Miami. He was also known for his time on the street ball circuit, where he earned the nickname “Skip To My Lou.”
Alston does have some previous coaching experience. He’s coached AAU teams every summer. He did tell the Houston Fox TV station that this will be a new challenge for him though through this news release:
“I’m excited and its going to be a lot of fun,” Alston said. “Its a chance to work with a lot of kids who have seen me play and they can benefit from my experience at many different levels of basketball. This school (Christian Life Center Academy) is one of the best in the nation and its going to be a challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”
Alston, 34, will be taking over for Carlos Wilson, who took the Tyler Junior College job in Texas.
Wonderful!